South Carolina · The Palmetto State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
South Carolina state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
South Carolina's official state song is “Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind”, adopted in 1911 and 1984. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Palmetto Moon”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for South Carolina, with its full lyrics.
An original song for South Carolina
Lowcountry soul and beach music shag groove, warm horns, electric piano, a laid-back beat and a sweet, swaying chorus
“Palmetto Moon” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male and female duet · Lowcountry soul and beach music shag groove.
Verse 1
Rainbow Row in Charleston with the palmettos in a line
Spanish moss on the live oaks and the jessamine in vine
A Carolina wren is singing on a porch in Beaufort town
South Carolina, you're the slow sweet sun going down
Chorus
Palmetto moon, while I breathe, I hope
From Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, from the Upstate to the coast
Shag on the boardwalk, shrimp and grits at nine
South Carolina, you're the Lowcountry in my mind
Verse 2
Marsh grass gold in autumn where the tide goes in and out
Greenville in the mountains, Columbia in the drought
Sweetgrass baskets in the market woven like they've always been
South Carolina, you're the welcome, come on in
Chorus
Palmetto moon, while I breathe, I hope
From Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, from the Upstate to the coast
Shag on the boardwalk, shrimp and grits at nine
South Carolina, you're the Lowcountry in my mind
Bridge
A crescent and a palmetto on a field of blue
South Carolina, I am true to you
Chorus
Palmetto moon, while I breathe, I hope
From Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, from the Upstate to the coast
Shag on the boardwalk, shrimp and grits at nine
South Carolina, you're the Lowcountry in my mind
About “Palmetto Moon”
South Carolina's song is Lowcountry soul with a Myrtle Beach shag groove. The lyrics move from Charleston's Rainbow Row and the Beaufort porches to Hilton Head, the marsh grass, Greenville in the Upstate and the sweetgrass basket makers of the Charleston market.
The Carolina wren and yellow jessamine are the state bird and flower, and the chorus translates the motto, "Dum spiro spero". South Carolina has two official songs, "Carolina" (1911) and "South Carolina on My Mind" (1984).
Places and symbols in the song
- Charleston's Rainbow Row
- Myrtle Beach
- the Lowcountry marshes
- Hilton Head
- shrimp and grits
- Carolina wren
- Yellow jessamine
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 South Carolina
- Title
- “Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind”
- Written by
- Henry Timrod and Anne Custis Burgess (1911); Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge (1984)
- Status
- adopted in 1911 and 1984
Timrod's 1860s poem became the first state song in 1911; the second, a contemporary country song, was added in 1984.
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.
South Carolina at a glance
- Nickname
- The Palmetto State
- Capital
- Columbia
- Largest city
- Charleston
- Statehood
- May 23, 1788 (8th state)
- Motto
- Dum spiro spero (While I breathe, I hope)
- State bird
- Carolina wren
- State flower
- Yellow jessamine
- Official state song
- "Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind" (in 1911 and 1984)
Questions about South Carolina's state song
What is the official state song of South Carolina?
The official state song of South Carolina is "Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind", Henry Timrod and Anne Custis Burgess (1911); Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge (1984), adopted in 1911 and 1984. Timrod's 1860s poem became the first state song in 1911; the second, a contemporary country song, was added in 1984.
Is "Palmetto Moon" the official state song of South Carolina?
No. "Palmetto Moon" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for South Carolina. The official state song is "Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind", adopted in 1911 and 1984. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Palmetto Moon" about?
South Carolina's song is Lowcountry soul with a Myrtle Beach shag groove. The lyrics move from Charleston's Rainbow Row and the Beaufort porches to Hilton Head, the marsh grass, Greenville in the Upstate and the sweetgrass basket makers of the Charleston market. It names Charleston's Rainbow Row, Myrtle Beach, the Lowcountry marshes, Hilton Head and shrimp and grits, with the state bird (carolina wren) and state flower (yellow jessamine) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind" and when was it adopted?
"Carolina and South Carolina on My Mind" is credited to Henry Timrod and Anne Custis Burgess (1911); Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge (1984); it was adopted in 1911 and 1984. Timrod's 1860s poem became the first state song in 1911; the second, a contemporary country song, was added in 1984.
What are South Carolina's state symbols?
South Carolina is nicknamed The Palmetto State. Its capital is Columbia and its largest city is Charleston. It joined the Union on May 23, 1788 (8th state). The state motto is "Dum spiro spero (While I breathe, I hope)", the state bird is the carolina wren and the state flower is the yellow jessamine.
Can I play or share "Palmetto Moon"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about South Carolina, 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 South Carolina?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Charleston, SC") 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.