Virginia · Old Dominion · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Virginia state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Virginia's official state song is “Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze”, both adopted in 2015. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Shenandoah Breeze”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Virginia, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Virginia
Appalachian folk-rock with mandolin, acoustic guitar, warm electric swells, gentle drums and a wide-valley chorus
“Shenandoah Breeze” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Appalachian folk-rock with mandolin.
Verse 1
Dogwoods white in the Shenandoah, the valley soft with rain
Skyline Drive in October like a long and golden chain
Cardinal on the split-rail fence, the Blue Ridge in the haze
Virginia, you're the first and oldest of my days
Chorus
Shenandoah breeze, old dominion of the heart
From the mountains to the Chesapeake, you're where the country starts
Richmond to the Tidewater, from Bristol to the shore
Virginia, you're the song I keep on coming home for
Verse 2
Monticello on its mountain where a president dreamed wide
Ships at Norfolk, waves at Virginia Beach rolling in with the tide
Ham from Smithfield, oysters from the bay, peanuts from the field
Virginia, you're the harvest and the yield
Chorus
Shenandoah breeze, old dominion of the heart
From the mountains to the Chesapeake, you're where the country starts
Richmond to the Tidewater, from Bristol to the shore
Virginia, you're the song I keep on coming home for
Bridge
Eight presidents and a hundred battlefields in the ground
Virginia, you're the history that's still around
Chorus
Shenandoah breeze, old dominion of the heart
From the mountains to the Chesapeake, you're where the country starts
Richmond to the Tidewater, from Bristol to the shore
Virginia, you're the song I keep on coming home for
About “Shenandoah Breeze”
Virginia's song is Appalachian folk-rock with mandolin for the Old Dominion: the Shenandoah Valley, Skyline Drive, Monticello, Norfolk's ships, Virginia Beach, Smithfield ham, Chesapeake oysters and the state's eight presidents.
The cardinal and American dogwood are the state bird and flower. After retiring "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" in 1997, Virginia adopted two songs in 2015: "Our Great Virginia" and "Sweet Virginia Breeze".
Places and symbols in the song
- the Shenandoah Valley
- the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive
- Virginia Beach
- Monticello
- the Chesapeake Bay
- Northern cardinal
- American dogwood
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 Virginia
- Title
- “Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze”
- Written by
- Mike Greenly, to the tune of "Oh Shenandoah"; Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett
- Status
- both adopted in 2015
Virginia retired "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" in 1997 for its racial lyrics and went 18 years without a state song before adopting a traditional and a popular song together.
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.
Virginia at a glance
- Nickname
- Old Dominion
- Capital
- Richmond
- Largest city
- Virginia Beach
- Statehood
- June 25, 1788 (10th state)
- Motto
- Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants)
- State bird
- Northern cardinal
- State flower
- American dogwood
- Official state song
- "Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze" (in 2015)
Questions about Virginia's state song
What is the official state song of Virginia?
The official state song of Virginia is "Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze", Mike Greenly, to the tune of "Oh Shenandoah"; Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett, both adopted in 2015. Virginia retired "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" in 1997 for its racial lyrics and went 18 years without a state song before adopting a traditional and a popular song together.
Is "Shenandoah Breeze" the official state song of Virginia?
No. "Shenandoah Breeze" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Virginia. The official state song is "Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze", both adopted in 2015. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Shenandoah Breeze" about?
Virginia's song is Appalachian folk-rock with mandolin for the Old Dominion: the Shenandoah Valley, Skyline Drive, Monticello, Norfolk's ships, Virginia Beach, Smithfield ham, Chesapeake oysters and the state's eight presidents. It names the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive, Virginia Beach, Monticello and the Chesapeake Bay, with the state bird (northern cardinal) and state flower (american dogwood) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze" and when was it adopted?
"Our Great Virginia and Sweet Virginia Breeze" is credited to Mike Greenly, to the tune of "Oh Shenandoah"; Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett; it was both adopted in 2015. Virginia retired "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" in 1997 for its racial lyrics and went 18 years without a state song before adopting a traditional and a popular song together.
What are Virginia's state symbols?
Virginia is nicknamed Old Dominion. Its capital is Richmond and its largest city is Virginia Beach. It joined the Union on June 25, 1788 (10th state). The state motto is "Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants)", the state bird is the northern cardinal and the state flower is the american dogwood.
Can I play or share "Shenandoah Breeze"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Virginia, 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 Virginia?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Virginia Beach, VA") 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.