Verse 1:
Part of Louisiane until the 7 Years War

Then British won it from France, didn't settle much more
The American Revolution gave U.S. control
Kaskaskia, the territory's capital

Admit the 21st state, move to Vadalia, I don't know
Let Springfield have a go
Union for the Civil War, staged at Cairo


Explanation of Verse 1:
Illinois (IL) was part of la Louisiane until 1763.

IL passed to Britain at the end of the 7 Years War (The French and Indian War). Not many British soldiers or settlers went to IL because the land was reserved for Indian settlement.
In 1783 the U.S. took control of IL after the American Revolution.
In 1809 the IL Territory was established with the capital of Kaskaskia.

In 1818 IL becomes the 21st state. A year later the capital is moved to Vadalia. In 1837 the capital was moved to Springfield.
IL came into the U.S. as a free state and was part of the Union during the Civil War. A major strategy point for the Union was in southwestern IL at a place called Cairo.


Chorus:
Illinois, the Mississippi down our west side
Nathaniel Pope's eastern coastline

Pushed it up over 50 miles
In the midwest, a microcosm of our country's best
An industry, ag and fuel chest

The Land of Lincoln's presidential quest

Explanation of the Chorus:

The western border of IL is defined by the Mississippi River.
Right before IL was admitted as the 21st state in 1818 there was a debate about where the northern boundary would be. Nathaniel Pope, a lobbyist for IL, was able to talk the government into giving IL over 60 miles of Lake Michigan coastline.
IL is in the midwestern United States and is considered to be a microcosm. Industry in the north, agriculture in the mid part of the state and natural resources in the south.

IL is called the Land of Lincoln. President Abraham Lincoln lived and worked in IL before becoming president.

Verse 2:

Little Egypt in the south supplies food during snow
We harvest timber, mine coal and drill for oil
Go to the midsection with prairies and corn

The Heart of Illinois, where the soybeans grow
Up in the north we have big cities like Rockford and Chicago
In 1844, Nauvoo was a rival

The Great Lakes Region
We're industrial


Explanation of Verse 2:
The southern part of IL was called "Little Egypt" after the Winter of the Deep Snow (1830-31) when crops from the southern part of the state were delivered up north to help those in north IL survive the harsh winter. It is believed that Little Egypt was in reference to the Biblical story about Joseph in Egypt delivering grain to his brothers.
The southern part of IL has natural resources such as timber, coal and oil.

The middle part of the state, called the Heart of Illinois, has prairies.
The northern part of IL is in the Great Lakes Region and is more focused on industry.
In 1844 there was a town called Nauvoo on the Mississippi River that rivaled the population growth of Chicago. Nauvoo was growing because of the influx of Mormons who eventually left and moved west.


Bridge:
From the Kaskaskia enclave

To the highest Charles Mound
We shout State Sovereignty, National Union
Northern cardinal takes it down

From the Wabash River to the American Bottom
Purple Violets can be found
Where the white oak - stands tall and proud

We're Carbondale bound

Kaskaskia, the original capital of IL, is the only part of the state that is located west of the Mississippi river.

The highest point in IL is the Charles Mound (1,235 ft).
State Motto: State Sovereignty, National Union
State Bird: Northern Cardinal

Along the eastern border of the state is the Wabash River.
The American Bottom is the lowest part of IL.
State Flower: Purple Violet

State Tree: White Oak
Carbondale is a city in southern IL.


Verse 3:
To the Atlantic or the Mississippi
Through the St. Lawrence or Illinois Waterways

Connect the Great Lakes Port to Chicago clay
To move around the world, our goods and manufacturing
Supplied armaments during World War II

For the military and meat processing
The first center for the nuclear age

Explanation:
The Chicago Port on Lake Michigan can connect to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway. It can also connect to the Mississippi River though the Illinois Waterway. This connection made Chicago an extremely fast-growing and powerful trade city.

The waterways and railroads that ran through IL and Chicago caused rapid growth in the manufacturing of goods.
During World War II Chicago manufactured and shipped a significant amount of military armaments.
Chicago also became a major hub for food processing (specifically meat) during the 1900s.
The Manhattan Project was largely headed up by scientists at the University of Chicago. They were the first ones to create a nuclear chain reaction.