Ohio · The Buckeye State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Ohio state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Ohio's official state song is “Beautiful Ohio”, adopted in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Buckeye Heart”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Ohio, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Ohio
Midwest rock and roll with jangling guitars, organ, handclaps, a driving beat and a stadium-chant chorus
“Buckeye Heart” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Midwest rock and roll with jangling guitars.
Verse 1
Cleveland on the lakeshore where the rock and roll was named
Cincinnati on the river with the chili all the same
Cardinal on a buckeye limb and carnations red as fire
Ohio, you're the beat that never seems to tire
Chorus
Buckeye heart, all things are possible here
From the Hocking Hills to Toledo, from Youngstown to the pier
The Horseshoe roaring in the fall, the river rolling by
Ohio, you're the heartland underneath the sky
Verse 2
Eight presidents and the Wright boys and a man who walked the moon
Amish buggies in Holmes County in the quiet afternoon
Cedar Point at midnight and the Cuyahoga clean
Ohio, you're the finest state I've ever seen
Chorus
Buckeye heart, all things are possible here
From the Hocking Hills to Toledo, from Youngstown to the pier
The Horseshoe roaring in the fall, the river rolling by
Ohio, you're the heartland underneath the sky
Bridge
Hang on, we always say, hang on and you'll see
Ohio, you're the heart of it for me
Chorus
Buckeye heart, all things are possible here
From the Hocking Hills to Toledo, from Youngstown to the pier
The Horseshoe roaring in the fall, the river rolling by
Ohio, you're the heartland underneath the sky
About “Buckeye Heart”
Ohio's anthem is Midwest rock and roll, as it should be for the state with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The lyrics run Cleveland, Cincinnati chili, Hocking Hills, Ohio Stadium (the Horseshoe), Amish Holmes County, Cedar Point and the state's astronauts and eight presidents.
The cardinal and scarlet carnation are the state bird and flower, and the chorus quotes the motto. "Beautiful Ohio" is the official song; "Hang On Sloopy" has been the official state rock song since 1985.
Places and symbols in the song
- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
- the Ohio River
- Cincinnati
- Hocking Hills
- Ohio Stadium in Columbus
- Northern cardinal
- Scarlet carnation
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 Ohio
- Title
- “Beautiful Ohio”
- Written by
- music by Mary Earl (Robert A. King), new words by Wilbert B. McBride
- Status
- adopted in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989
Ohio also has an official state rock song, "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys, adopted in 1985.
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.
Ohio at a glance
- Nickname
- The Buckeye State
- Capital
- Columbus
- Largest city
- Columbus
- Statehood
- March 1, 1803 (17th state)
- Motto
- With God, all things are possible
- State bird
- Northern cardinal
- State flower
- Scarlet carnation
- Official state song
- "Beautiful Ohio" (in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989)
Questions about Ohio's state song
What is the official state song of Ohio?
The official state song of Ohio is "Beautiful Ohio", music by Mary Earl (Robert A. King), new words by Wilbert B. McBride, adopted in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989. Ohio also has an official state rock song, "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys, adopted in 1985.
Is "Buckeye Heart" the official state song of Ohio?
No. "Buckeye Heart" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Ohio. The official state song is "Beautiful Ohio", adopted in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Buckeye Heart" about?
Ohio's anthem is Midwest rock and roll, as it should be for the state with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The lyrics run Cleveland, Cincinnati chili, Hocking Hills, Ohio Stadium (the Horseshoe), Amish Holmes County, Cedar Point and the state's astronauts and eight presidents. It names the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the Ohio River, Cincinnati, Hocking Hills and Ohio Stadium in Columbus, with the state bird (northern cardinal) and state flower (scarlet carnation) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Beautiful Ohio" and when was it adopted?
"Beautiful Ohio" is credited to music by Mary Earl (Robert A. King), new words by Wilbert B. McBride; it was adopted in 1969, with new lyrics in 1989. Ohio also has an official state rock song, "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys, adopted in 1985.
What are Ohio's state symbols?
Ohio is nicknamed The Buckeye State. Its capital is Columbus and its largest city is Columbus. It joined the Union on March 1, 1803 (17th state). The state motto is "With God, all things are possible", the state bird is the northern cardinal and the state flower is the scarlet carnation.
Can I play or share "Buckeye Heart"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Ohio, 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 Ohio?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Columbus, OH") 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.