Rhode Island Ā· The Ocean State Ā· By Ismail Farooq, founder Ā· Updated
Rhode Island state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Rhode Island's official state song is āRhode Island, It's for Meā, adopted in 1996. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and āOcean State of Mindā: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Rhode Island, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Rhode Island
Breezy coastal folk-pop with acoustic guitar, accordion, light drums and a cheerful harbor chorus
āOcean State of Mindā lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Female vocal Ā· Breezy coastal folk-pop with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
Sailboats on Narragansett, the morning bright and clear
Newport's gilded mansions where the Cliff Walk meets the pier
A Rhode Island Red is crowing in a yard in Little Compton
Rhode Island, you're the smallest state and the biggest heart I've gotten
Chorus
Ocean State of mind, hope upon the anchor
From Providence to Westerly, from Woonsocket to the water
Block Island in the summer haze, the bay a mirror blue
Rhode Island, I'd cross the world for you
Verse 2
WaterFire glowing on the river in a Providence night
Clam cakes down at Iggy's and a coffee milk just right
Four hundred miles of coastline packed in forty-eight across
Rhode Island, you're the little state nobody's lost
Chorus
Ocean State of mind, hope upon the anchor
From Providence to Westerly, from Woonsocket to the water
Block Island in the summer haze, the bay a mirror blue
Rhode Island, I'd cross the world for you
Bridge
Roger Williams planted freedom in a tiny patch of ground
Rhode Island, you're the hope that we have found
Chorus
Ocean State of mind, hope upon the anchor
From Providence to Westerly, from Woonsocket to the water
Block Island in the summer haze, the bay a mirror blue
Rhode Island, I'd cross the world for you
About āOcean State of Mindā
Rhode Island's song is breezy coastal folk-pop for the smallest state, with Narragansett Bay, the Newport mansions and Cliff Walk, Providence's WaterFire, Block Island and the local staples, clam cakes and coffee milk. Roger Williams, who founded the colony on religious freedom, gets the bridge.
The Rhode Island Red and violet are the state bird and flower, and the one-word motto, "Hope", anchors the chorus. "Rhode Island, It's for Me" has been the official song since 1996.
Places and symbols in the song
- Newport mansions and the Cliff Walk
- Narragansett Bay
- Providence and WaterFire
- Block Island
- coffee milk and clam cakes
- Rhode Island Red
- Violet
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 Rhode Island
- Title
- āRhode Island, It's for Meā
- Written by
- words by Charlie Hall, music by Maria Day
- Status
- adopted in 1996
It replaced "Rhode Island" by T. Clarke Brown, the state song since 1946, which was kept as the state march.
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.
Rhode Island at a glance
- Nickname
- The Ocean State
- Capital
- Providence
- Largest city
- Providence
- Statehood
- May 29, 1790 (13th state)
- Motto
- Hope
- State bird
- Rhode Island Red
- State flower
- Violet
- Official state song
- "Rhode Island, It's for Me" (in 1996)
Questions about Rhode Island's state song
What is the official state song of Rhode Island?
The official state song of Rhode Island is "Rhode Island, It's for Me", words by Charlie Hall, music by Maria Day, adopted in 1996. It replaced "Rhode Island" by T. Clarke Brown, the state song since 1946, which was kept as the state march.
Is "Ocean State of Mind" the official state song of Rhode Island?
No. "Ocean State of Mind" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Rhode Island. The official state song is "Rhode Island, It's for Me", adopted in 1996. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Ocean State of Mind" about?
Rhode Island's song is breezy coastal folk-pop for the smallest state, with Narragansett Bay, the Newport mansions and Cliff Walk, Providence's WaterFire, Block Island and the local staples, clam cakes and coffee milk. Roger Williams, who founded the colony on religious freedom, gets the bridge. It names Newport mansions and the Cliff Walk, Narragansett Bay, Providence and WaterFire, Block Island and coffee milk and clam cakes, with the state bird (rhode island red) and state flower (violet) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Rhode Island, It's for Me" and when was it adopted?
"Rhode Island, It's for Me" is credited to words by Charlie Hall, music by Maria Day; it was adopted in 1996. It replaced "Rhode Island" by T. Clarke Brown, the state song since 1946, which was kept as the state march.
What are Rhode Island's state symbols?
Rhode Island is nicknamed The Ocean State. Its capital is Providence and its largest city is Providence. It joined the Union on May 29, 1790 (13th state). The state motto is "Hope", the state bird is the rhode island red and the state flower is the violet.
Can I play or share "Ocean State of Mind"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Providence, RI") 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.