50 States Project: a 50-song album about the history, geography, and economic foundation of each state in the U.S. http://lodgemccammon.com/ Lyrics/Explanation - Verse 1: Juan Pardo said hey Tanasqui In the middle of the 15's 200 years then the British settle in After independence we became a state Split in half by Civil War debate Over Union or Confederate but then... Harris' military decision Way before the secession We joined the south, some reluctantly Troops are on both sides, you see Explanation: Juan Pardo, a Spanish explorer, was the first European to pass through Tennessee (TN). Tanasqui (later spelled Tennessee) was a Native American village that Pardo visited in 1567. In 1756 the British started to settle in TN. Fort Loudon was the westernmost British outpost. TN became part of the U.S. after the American Revolution and became a state on June 1st, 1796. During the Civil War the state was split - east TN was mostly for the Union and people in middle/west TN were largely for the Confederacy. Governor Harris passed a law that created a military alliance with the Confederate states. It could be argued that TN was not actually the last state to secede and that North Carolina (NC) was actually the last because of this clear alliance before official secession. TN seceded after Lincoln called upon them to fight against the Confederacy. TN supplied the largest number of soldiers for both the Union and the Confederacy. Chorus: The Watauga Association A dangerous new legislation Paved the way for independence On the river in Tennessee Here comes the 16th state from federal land Ceded, from that old NC We're the Volunteers Who saved New Orleans Explanation: In the 1760s English and Scotch-Irish settlers came to TN and established areas along the Watauga River. They created the Watauga Association which was an autonomous government. It is believed that it was the first government established in the colonies. Lord Dunmore (Governor of Virginia) called this association a "dangerous example." Others considered it a step toward American independence. TN was admitted as the 16th state in 1796. It is the only state that was created from federal land. TN was the western half of North Carolina, but NC gave the land to the government in 1790. TN is the called Volunteer State. The name was adopted after a large number of TN volunteers fought for during the War of 1812. TN troops played a large role in winning the Battle of New Orleans, the last major battle. Verse 2: Three Grand Divisions, stars represent Equal say in state government From the Great Smoky Mountains To the Meeman-Shelby Mountains and valleys out in the east Hills and Bottoms out west to the Mississippi The Highland Rim around the basin in our middle piece Start hiking at Clingman's Dome Along the Appalachian Trail we'll go Head west along the Cumberland Plateau Lets get to Nashville's country homes Explanation: TN is split into the "The Grand Divisions." It is divided into three (basically) equal parts. East, Middle and West TN. This ensures that each area gets equal representation according to the TN Constitution. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is in the east and the Meeman-Shelby Park is in the west. East TN has mountains and valleys. West TN has rolling hills and the TN Bottoms, ending at the Mississippi River. Middle TN Has the Highland Rim (elevated plains) surrounding the rich farmland of the Nashville Basin. The highest point in TN is Clingman's Dome along the Appalachian Trail. If you travel west, you will go across Cumberland Plateau. Bridge: The Mockingbird takes flight On a Memphis summer night Looking over our agriculture and commerce With tulip poplars in sight The purple iris growing right And wild passion flowers, in Lewisburg Explanation: TN Bird: Mockingbird TN Motto: Agriculture and Commerce TN Tree: Tulip Poplar TN Cultivated Flower: Purple Iris TN Wildflower: Passion Flower Verse 3: The Great Depression brings TVA To boost local economy Build Oak Ridge and a-bomb with that energy (nuclear energy) Go agriculture like poultry And equipment manufacturing See our caves and parks Stay to hear us sing (a-hem) Yeah, Elvis is rock 'n roll Graceland, his final show Visit Nashville's Downtown Country Music Row Where all them records are gold Explanation: During the Great Depression the federal government created the Tennessee Valley Authority. This created energy and jobs. During WWII the government built the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in order to create the Atom Bomb. The location was selected because the abundance of power available from TVA. TN's economy is based upon agriculture (poultry, soybeans), manufacturing (electrical, transportation), and tourism (national parks). Graceland is in Memphis and it is Elvis Presley's home/grave. Country Music Row in Nashville is a collection of businesses that are related to the generation and sale of music.

• published: 05 Nov 2013
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