DESCRIPTION:
"Our Great Virginia" became the official traditional state song of Virginia in 2015. Sung to the traditional tune "Oh Shenandoah," with music arranged by Jim Papoulis, its lyrics were written by Mike Greenly. By a vote of 39-0 in the Virginia state senate, "Our Great Virginia" was designated the official state traditional song, and "Sweet Virginia Breeze" was designated the official state popular song of Virginia (the bill was signed into law by the governor effective 7/1/15). "Our Great Virginia” (lyrics by Mike Greenly and arranged by Jim Papoulis) is sung to the tune of “Shenandoah.”

“Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” was the original state song of Virginia (adopted in 1940), but in 1997 the designation was changed to the “state song emeritus.”