Kelly Lang's 'Under A Tennessee Moon' is named Official Tennessee State Song

The song joins the ranks of 'Tennessee Waltz', 'Rocky Top', and 'Smoky Mountain Rain', and more.
PUBLISHED APR 20, 2024
TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang perform at the Country For A Cause benefit concert at 3rd & Lindsley on June 07, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang perform at the Country For A Cause benefit concert at 3rd & Lindsley on June 07, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Nashville, Tennessee (Release): Singer-songwriter, producer, and author Kelly Lang’s popular single 'Under A Tennessee Moon' has been named the newest official state song at the Tennessee State Capitol on Thursday, April 18, when officially signed by lawmakers and Governor Bill Lee.

Encompassing the entire State of Tennessee, Lang prioritized covering everything special about the Volunteer State, from the Smoky Mountains to Memphis and everything in between. Joining the ranks of other legendary state songs such as 'Tennessee Waltz', 'Rocky Top', and 'Smoky Mountain Rain', among others, 'Under A Tennessee Moon' will now forever hold its place in musical and Tennessee history.

(L-R) TN House Representative Ron Travis, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, TN Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh, and Chairman Chris Todd. (Photo Credit: Grace Batts)
(L-R) TN House Representative Ron Travis, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, TN Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh, and Chairman Chris Todd. (Photo Credit: Grace Batts)

"I wrote “Under A Tennessee Moon” for my mom after she made me stop and look around at the beauty in Tennessee that I had overlooked before,” shares Lang. “The mountains, lakes, rivers, and trees were all so magnificent once I saw them through her eyes. I went straight home and began to put words to music, never knowing that it would come to this! Having written what is now a state song for Tennessee is the highest honor this songwriter could have ever imagined for me. I am so honored that from this day forward, it will forever be written in history…a great legacy for me to honor my mother and to pass down to future generations."



 

Lang, a 19-year breast cancer survivor, recently made her official Grand Ole Opry debut for Opry Goes Pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Opry Goes Pink raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation to aid in the fight against breast cancer. Her latest album, 'Dragonfly', contains 12 songs, nine of which are self-penned, including her popular singles 'I'm Not Going Anywhere' and 'I Think It's Jesus'.

Lang's positive attitude towards her own battle with breast cancer gives hope to others dealing with similar situations. She and her husband, country music legend TG Sheppard, are planning the release of their new duets album 'Chemistry: The Duets Collection', which will be available later this summer.

Full lyrics to 'Under A Tennessee Moon' by Kelly Lang

Down here in Nashville,

The music plays on

We still love the Opry

And Haggard and Jones

So many have left us

Like Johnny and June,

They lay to rest here,

Under a Tennessee Moon

I left my heart

Up in East Tennessee

Where the mountains were glowing

With golden-red leaves

I meet my Maker

Every time I go through

It eases my soul,

Under a Tennessee Moon

Tennessee River,

It runs through my veins.

I still love to hear “Smoky Mountain Rain”

Of all of the places

That I have been to,

I want to grow old

Under a Tennessee Moon

Down there on Beale Street

They still sing the blues,

Love the Peabody

And the great Rendezvous

The king lived at Graceland; Lord, he left us too soon,

You know it’s never been the same

Under a Tennessee Moon

Sweet magnolia blowing in the wind

Takes me back home again

Tennessee River

It runs through my veins

I still love to hear “Smoky Mountain Rain”

Of all of the places

I have been to,

I want to grow old,

Under a Tennessee Moon

Cause everything’s sweeter

Under a Tennessee Moon

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