Nebraska State Song Lyrics!
Beautiful Nebraska Written by Jim Fras
Beautiful Nebraska, peaceful prairie land,
Laced with many rivers, and the hills of sand,
Dark green valleys cradled in the earth,
Rain and sunshine bring abundant birth.
Chorus:
Beautiful Nebraska, as you look around,
You will find a rainbow reaching to the ground.
All these wonders by the Master’s hand,
Beautiful Nebraskaland.
We are so proud of this state where we live.
There is no place that has so much to give.
Chorus:
Beautiful Nebraska, as you look around,
You will find a rainbow reaching to the ground.
All these wonders by the Master’s hand,
Beautiful Nebraskaland.
When I was a child, living in Nebraska, I learned this song. How or where I learned it is not really known. I assumed I learned it at school. My older sister believes that we learned it when our mother sang it for a Historic Society event. At any rate, it is embedded deep in my mind as anyone who ever rides with me in a vehicle as we cross into Nebraska will testify.
It’s something about that sign, “Welcome To Nebraska”, or is it “Nebraska Welcomes You?” Funny, I can’t remember WHAT the sign says, but I do know what the sign DOES to me. As soon as I see that sign I am compelled to burst forth in song. Out of my mouth comes this song. It’s not the prettiest of renditions, but the song does get sung, usually loudly, nasally and a little flamboyantly! Hard to imagine, I know.
I suppose this started when we moved away from Nebraska when I was in 8th grade. We moved to California where we all were born but I am here to tell you, California wasn’t Nebraska. No snow, little rain, and very few family members! My Great-grandma on my step-mom’s side was there for a few months until she died, and my dad’s cousin and family were within driving distance, but other than that it was a “family desert” as well as a natural one. Suffice it to say that the first time we went “home” on vacation and crossed into Nebraska we were just giddy enough to start this tradition. And why break with tradition, especially such a satisfying one!
When my husband, AKA my webmaster, found this song online and put it on my website he called me into his office and played it. I burst into tears… its perfect-ness overwhelming me. This book I’ve written–I hope it helps others remember their “home” and just how important those places and people are in our lives.
This morning we got word that a dear friend of a dear friend lost his battle with pneumonia last night. I couldn’t help but wonder–what did Michael sing when he saw the sign, “Heaven Welcomes You?”