South Dakota · The Mount Rushmore State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
South Dakota state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
South Dakota's official state song is “Hail, South Dakota”, adopted in 1943. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Faces in the Stone”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for South Dakota, with its full lyrics.
An original song for South Dakota
Prairie-western folk-rock with acoustic guitar, harmonica, driving drums, strings and a monumental chorus
“Faces in the Stone” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Prairie-western folk-rock with acoustic guitar.
Verse 1
Four faces in the granite looking out across the pines
Badlands striped in rose and gray like all the ancient lines
Pheasants bursting from the corn, the pasque flower in spring
South Dakota, you're the open where my heart can sing
Chorus
Faces in the stone, under God the people rule
From the Black Hills to Sioux Falls, from the Missouri to the school
Bison on the prairie, a hundred thousand strong
South Dakota, you're the land I'm leaning on
Verse 2
Crazy Horse is rising from a mountain of his own
Deadwood's gold-rush saloons still standing in the stone
Wall Drug on the highway and the Sturgis engines roar
South Dakota, you're the big sky I was looking for
Chorus
Faces in the stone, under God the people rule
From the Black Hills to Sioux Falls, from the Missouri to the school
Bison on the prairie, a hundred thousand strong
South Dakota, you're the land I'm leaning on
Bridge
Lakota drums and pioneer wagons, both still in the wind
South Dakota, where the wide West begins
Chorus
Faces in the stone, under God the people rule
From the Black Hills to Sioux Falls, from the Missouri to the school
Bison on the prairie, a hundred thousand strong
South Dakota, you're the land I'm leaning on
About “Faces in the Stone”
South Dakota's anthem is prairie-western folk-rock for Mount Rushmore in the first line and the Crazy Horse Memorial in the second verse. The Badlands, the Black Hills, Custer State Park's bison, Deadwood, Wall Drug and the Sturgis rally all get a mention.
The ring-necked pheasant and pasque flower are the state bird and flower; the chorus quotes the motto. "Hail, South Dakota", a march by bandleader DeeCort Hammitt, has been the official song since 1943.
Places and symbols in the song
- Mount Rushmore
- the Badlands
- the Black Hills
- Sioux Falls
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Ring-necked pheasant
- Pasque flower
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 Dakota
- Title
- “Hail, South Dakota”
- Written by
- DeeCort Hammitt
- Status
- adopted in 1943
Hammitt, a bandleader from Alcester, wrote both words and music; the song is a 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.
South Dakota at a glance
- Nickname
- The Mount Rushmore State
- Capital
- Pierre
- Largest city
- Sioux Falls
- Statehood
- November 2, 1889 (40th state)
- Motto
- Under God the people rule
- State bird
- Ring-necked pheasant
- State flower
- Pasque flower
- Official state song
- "Hail, South Dakota" (in 1943)
Questions about South Dakota's state song
What is the official state song of South Dakota?
The official state song of South Dakota is "Hail, South Dakota", DeeCort Hammitt, adopted in 1943. Hammitt, a bandleader from Alcester, wrote both words and music; the song is a march.
Is "Faces in the Stone" the official state song of South Dakota?
No. "Faces in the Stone" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for South Dakota. The official state song is "Hail, South Dakota", adopted in 1943. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Faces in the Stone" about?
South Dakota's anthem is prairie-western folk-rock for Mount Rushmore in the first line and the Crazy Horse Memorial in the second verse. The Badlands, the Black Hills, Custer State Park's bison, Deadwood, Wall Drug and the Sturgis rally all get a mention. It names Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, the Black Hills, Sioux Falls and Crazy Horse Memorial, with the state bird (ring-necked pheasant) and state flower (pasque flower) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Hail, South Dakota" and when was it adopted?
"Hail, South Dakota" is credited to DeeCort Hammitt; it was adopted in 1943. Hammitt, a bandleader from Alcester, wrote both words and music; the song is a march.
What are South Dakota's state symbols?
South Dakota is nicknamed The Mount Rushmore State. Its capital is Pierre and its largest city is Sioux Falls. It joined the Union on November 2, 1889 (40th state). The state motto is "Under God the people rule", the state bird is the ring-necked pheasant and the state flower is the pasque flower.
Can I play or share "Faces in the Stone"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about South 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 South Dakota?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Sioux Falls, SD") 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.