North Dakota · The Peace Garden State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
North Dakota state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
North Dakota's official state song is “North Dakota Hymn”, adopted in 1947. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Peace Garden Prairie”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for North Dakota, with its full lyrics.
An original song for North Dakota
Gentle northern-plains folk with acoustic guitar, piano, cello, soft drums and a wide, warm chorus
“Peace Garden Prairie” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal · Gentle northern-plains folk with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
The Badlands turn to rose and gold where Roosevelt once rode
Bison moving through the grass along a gravel road
Meadowlark on a fencepost, wild rose in the ditch
North Dakota, you're the quiet kind of rich
Chorus
Peace Garden prairie, one and inseparable
The sky is so much bigger here than anywhere at all
From Fargo to Medora, from the Missouri to the line
North Dakota, you're the open country that is mine
Verse 2
Sunflowers to the horizon, wheat as far as eyes can see
A peace garden on the border where two nations meet in peace
Winter forty below and the people still say hey
North Dakota, you're the warmth in the coldest day
Chorus
Peace Garden prairie, one and inseparable
The sky is so much bigger here than anywhere at all
From Fargo to Medora, from the Missouri to the line
North Dakota, you're the open country that is mine
Bridge
Lewis and Clark came through here and the Mandan showed the way
North Dakota, you're the ground that made me stay
Chorus
Peace Garden prairie, one and inseparable
The sky is so much bigger here than anywhere at all
From Fargo to Medora, from the Missouri to the line
North Dakota, you're the open country that is mine
About “Peace Garden Prairie”
North Dakota's song is gentle northern-plains folk with cello under the voice. It opens in the Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then crosses the Missouri, the wheat and sunflower fields, Fargo, Medora and the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border that gives the state its nickname.
The western meadowlark and wild prairie rose are the state bird and flower, and the chorus borrows the end of the motto. The "North Dakota Hymn" has been the official song since 1947.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- the Missouri River
- the International Peace Garden
- Fargo
- wheat and sunflower fields
- Western meadowlark
- Wild prairie rose
SongUp AI composed and sang this song from the lyrics above and the style line under the title, the same way it makes songs for its users. It is not the official state song and it is not a cover.
The official state song of North Dakota
- Title
- “North Dakota Hymn”
- Written by
- words by James W. Foley, music by Dr. C. S. Putnam
- Status
- adopted in 1947
Foley wrote the words in 1926 at the request of a Bismarck school official who wanted a song for a state event; it was first sung in the Capitol.
Many official state songs are still in copyright, so their lyrics are not printed here. The state's own website or legislature publishes the official text.
North Dakota at a glance
- Nickname
- The Peace Garden State
- Capital
- Bismarck
- Largest city
- Fargo
- Statehood
- November 2, 1889 (39th state)
- Motto
- Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable
- State bird
- Western meadowlark
- State flower
- Wild prairie rose
- Official state song
- "North Dakota Hymn" (in 1947)
Questions about North Dakota's state song
What is the official state song of North Dakota?
The official state song of North Dakota is "North Dakota Hymn", words by James W. Foley, music by Dr. C. S. Putnam, adopted in 1947. Foley wrote the words in 1926 at the request of a Bismarck school official who wanted a song for a state event; it was first sung in the Capitol.
Is "Peace Garden Prairie" the official state song of North Dakota?
No. "Peace Garden Prairie" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for North Dakota. The official state song is "North Dakota Hymn", adopted in 1947. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Peace Garden Prairie" about?
North Dakota's song is gentle northern-plains folk with cello under the voice. It opens in the Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, then crosses the Missouri, the wheat and sunflower fields, Fargo, Medora and the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border that gives the state its nickname. It names the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Missouri River, the International Peace Garden, Fargo and wheat and sunflower fields, with the state bird (western meadowlark) and state flower (wild prairie rose) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "North Dakota Hymn" and when was it adopted?
"North Dakota Hymn" is credited to words by James W. Foley, music by Dr. C. S. Putnam; it was adopted in 1947. Foley wrote the words in 1926 at the request of a Bismarck school official who wanted a song for a state event; it was first sung in the Capitol.
What are North Dakota's state symbols?
North Dakota is nicknamed The Peace Garden State. Its capital is Bismarck and its largest city is Fargo. It joined the Union on November 2, 1889 (39th state). The state motto is "Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable", the state bird is the western meadowlark and the state flower is the wild prairie rose.
Can I play or share "Peace Garden Prairie"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about North Dakota, your town, your school or your family, with the names and places you choose, describe it on the Create page: a free account hears a 30-second preview of its own lyrics sung, and a full song comes with a Pro plan.
How do I make my own song about North Dakota?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Fargo, ND") or paste your own lyrics, pick a voice, and SongUp AI writes, sings and mixes it in a few minutes. Every song comes with a lyric video, stems and a gift page.