Pennsylvania · The Keystone State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Pennsylvania state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Pennsylvania's official state song is “Pennsylvania”, adopted in 1990. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Keystone”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Pennsylvania, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Pennsylvania
Philly soul meets Pittsburgh rock, lush strings, wah guitar, horns, a steady groove and a proud, soaring chorus
“Keystone” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Philly soul meets Pittsburgh rock.
Verse 1
A cracked bell in Philadelphia that rang the whole world free
Three rivers meeting at the Point where the steel used to be
Mountain laurel in the Poconos, a grouse drums in the wood
Pennsylvania, you're the keystone holding up the good
Chorus
Keystone, virtue, liberty and independence
From Philly to Pittsburgh, Erie down to the Mason-Dixon fence
Lancaster in the buggy lanes, Gettysburg at dawn
Pennsylvania, you're the ground the nation stands upon
Verse 2
Cheesesteaks and pierogies and a soft pretzel on the way
Hershey smells like chocolate at the ending of the day
Fallingwater over the creek, the Susquehanna wide
Pennsylvania, you're the river and the pride
Chorus
Keystone, virtue, liberty and independence
From Philly to Pittsburgh, Erie down to the Mason-Dixon fence
Lancaster in the buggy lanes, Gettysburg at dawn
Pennsylvania, you're the ground the nation stands upon
Bridge
They wrote it all down here, in a room with the windows shut
Pennsylvania, you're where freedom was cut
Chorus
Keystone, virtue, liberty and independence
From Philly to Pittsburgh, Erie down to the Mason-Dixon fence
Lancaster in the buggy lanes, Gettysburg at dawn
Pennsylvania, you're the ground the nation stands upon
About “Keystone”
Pennsylvania's song is Philly soul strings and horns meeting Pittsburgh guitar. The lyrics hold Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Pittsburgh's three rivers, the Poconos, Lancaster County, Gettysburg, Hershey, Fallingwater and the Susquehanna.
The ruffed grouse and mountain laurel are the state bird and flower, and the chorus quotes the motto. Pennsylvania had no official song until "Pennsylvania" was adopted in 1990.
Places and symbols in the song
- Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
- Pittsburgh's three rivers
- the Poconos
- Amish Lancaster County
- Gettysburg
- Ruffed grouse
- Mountain laurel
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 Pennsylvania
- Title
- “Pennsylvania”
- Written by
- Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner
- Status
- adopted in 1990
Pennsylvania went without an official song for its first 203 years; the legislature chose this one from a field of submissions in 1990.
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.
Pennsylvania at a glance
- Nickname
- The Keystone State
- Capital
- Harrisburg
- Largest city
- Philadelphia
- Statehood
- December 12, 1787 (2nd state)
- Motto
- Virtue, Liberty and Independence
- State bird
- Ruffed grouse
- State flower
- Mountain laurel
- Official state song
- "Pennsylvania" (in 1990)
Questions about Pennsylvania's state song
What is the official state song of Pennsylvania?
The official state song of Pennsylvania is "Pennsylvania", Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner, adopted in 1990. Pennsylvania went without an official song for its first 203 years; the legislature chose this one from a field of submissions in 1990.
Is "Keystone" the official state song of Pennsylvania?
No. "Keystone" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Pennsylvania. The official state song is "Pennsylvania", adopted in 1990. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Keystone" about?
Pennsylvania's song is Philly soul strings and horns meeting Pittsburgh guitar. The lyrics hold Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Pittsburgh's three rivers, the Poconos, Lancaster County, Gettysburg, Hershey, Fallingwater and the Susquehanna. It names Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Pittsburgh's three rivers, the Poconos, Amish Lancaster County and Gettysburg, with the state bird (ruffed grouse) and state flower (mountain laurel) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Pennsylvania" and when was it adopted?
"Pennsylvania" is credited to Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner; it was adopted in 1990. Pennsylvania went without an official song for its first 203 years; the legislature chose this one from a field of submissions in 1990.
What are Pennsylvania's state symbols?
Pennsylvania is nicknamed The Keystone State. Its capital is Harrisburg and its largest city is Philadelphia. It joined the Union on December 12, 1787 (2nd state). The state motto is "Virtue, Liberty and Independence", the state bird is the ruffed grouse and the state flower is the mountain laurel.
Can I play or share "Keystone"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Philadelphia, PA") 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.