South Carolina

Nickname: The Palmetto State

Statehood: 1788; 8th state

Population (as of July 2016): 4,961,119

Capital: Columbia

Biggest City: Columbia

Abbreviation: SC

State bird: Carolina wren

State flower: yellow jessamine

State tree: cabbage palmetto

State animal: white-tailed deer

State song:

In 1911, the song "Carolina" by Henry Timrod and Anne Custis Burgess was adopted as South Carolina's official state song. In 1984, a second state song was adopted: "South Carolina on My Mind" by Hank Martin and Buzz Arledge.

"Carolina"

"South Carolina on My Mind"

PDF sheet music: "Carolina"

Lyrics here: "Carolina"

and here "South Carolina on My Mind"

Other songs about South Carolina:

The official state waltz of South Carolina is "Richardson Waltz." It was adopted in the year 2000. It was written by General Richard Richardson's family and arranged by Mary S. Richardson Briggs in 1985. The adoption bill says, "This waltz is a beautiful and soulful melody, is a memento of the musical tradition of the Richardson family, has for many generations played an unofficial but important role in the musical history of South Carolina, and is deserving of designation as the Official State Waltz."

This video of the song is played by Mary Richardson Briggs.

(Preview before showing to your students.)

"Oh, Carolina" by NeedtoBreathe