Washington · The Evergreen State · By Ismail Farooq, founder · Updated
Washington state song: the official anthem's story, and a new song to hear
Washington's official state song is “Washington, My Home”, adopted in 1959. Below is the story of that song, the state's symbols, and “Evergreen”: a brand-new anthem SongUp AI wrote and sang for Washington, with its full lyrics.
An original song for Washington
Seattle alt-rock with grungy guitars, melodic bass, driving drums, a touch of strings and a cathartic chorus
“Evergreen” lyrics
Original words by SongUp AI, 2026. Male vocal · Seattle alt-rock with grungy guitars.
Verse 1
Rainier is floating over the city like a ghost
A ferry on the Sound at dawn, the gulls along the coast
Rhododendrons in the rain, a goldfinch in the fir
Washington, you're the gray and green I always prefer
Chorus
Evergreen, by and by, we get there in the end
From the Olympic moss to the Palouse hills where the golden wheat fields bend
Seattle to Spokane, from the Columbia to the Sound
Washington, you're the only home I've found
Verse 2
Coffee in a paper cup, the Needle in the clouds
Pike Place in the morning with the fishmongers loud
Apples in Wenatchee, the Gorge on a summer night
Washington, you're the rain that makes the green so bright
Chorus
Evergreen, by and by, we get there in the end
From the Olympic moss to the Palouse hills where the golden wheat fields bend
Seattle to Spokane, from the Columbia to the Sound
Washington, you're the only home I've found
Bridge
Roll on, Columbia, Woody said it best
Washington, you're the northwest in my chest
Chorus
Evergreen, by and by, we get there in the end
From the Olympic moss to the Palouse hills where the golden wheat fields bend
Seattle to Spokane, from the Columbia to the Sound
Washington, you're the only home I've found
About “Evergreen”
Washington's song is Seattle alt-rock, the state's own export, with Mount Rainier, Puget Sound ferries, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Olympic rainforest, Wenatchee apples, the Gorge amphitheatre and the Palouse wheat hills.
The willow goldfinch and coast rhododendron are the state bird and flower; the chorus translates the Chinook-jargon motto, "Al-ki". "Washington, My Home" has been the official song since 1959, and Woody Guthrie's "Roll On, Columbia" the official folk song since 1987.
Places and symbols in the song
- Mount Rainier
- Seattle and the Space Needle
- Puget Sound ferries
- the Olympic rainforest
- Palouse wheat country
- Willow goldfinch
- Coast rhododendron
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 Washington
- Title
- “Washington, My Home”
- Written by
- Helen Davis, arranged by Stuart Churchill
- Status
- adopted in 1959
Washington also made Woody Guthrie's "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On" its official folk song in 1987; a 1985 campaign to make "Louie Louie" the state song did not pass.
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.
Washington at a glance
- Nickname
- The Evergreen State
- Capital
- Olympia
- Largest city
- Seattle
- Statehood
- November 11, 1889 (42nd state)
- Motto
- Al-ki (By and by)
- State bird
- Willow goldfinch
- State flower
- Coast rhododendron
- Official state song
- "Washington, My Home" (in 1959)
Questions about Washington's state song
What is the official state song of Washington?
The official state song of Washington is "Washington, My Home", Helen Davis, arranged by Stuart Churchill, adopted in 1959. Washington also made Woody Guthrie's "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On" its official folk song in 1987; a 1985 campaign to make "Louie Louie" the state song did not pass.
Is "Evergreen" the official state song of Washington?
No. "Evergreen" is an original song written and sung by SongUp AI in 2026 as a new anthem for Washington. The official state song is "Washington, My Home", adopted in 1959. The official lyrics are not reproduced here; this page is about the facts of that song and about our own.
What is "Evergreen" about?
Washington's song is Seattle alt-rock, the state's own export, with Mount Rainier, Puget Sound ferries, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Olympic rainforest, Wenatchee apples, the Gorge amphitheatre and the Palouse wheat hills. It names Mount Rainier, Seattle and the Space Needle, Puget Sound ferries, the Olympic rainforest and Palouse wheat country, with the state bird (willow goldfinch) and state flower (coast rhododendron) in the lyrics.
Who wrote "Washington, My Home" and when was it adopted?
"Washington, My Home" is credited to Helen Davis, arranged by Stuart Churchill; it was adopted in 1959. Washington also made Woody Guthrie's "Roll On, Columbia, Roll On" its official folk song in 1987; a 1985 campaign to make "Louie Louie" the state song did not pass.
What are Washington's state symbols?
Washington is nicknamed The Evergreen State. Its capital is Olympia and its largest city is Seattle. It joined the Union on November 11, 1889 (42nd state). The state motto is "Al-ki (By and by)", the state bird is the willow goldfinch and the state flower is the coast rhododendron.
Can I play or share "Evergreen"?
Yes. Listen here as often as you like and share the page link. For a song of your own about Washington, 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 Washington?
Open the Create page, describe the song (for example "an upbeat country song about growing up in Seattle, WA") 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.