The song was written by Ray Charles, an American composer and choral director—not to be confused with the legendary soul singer of the same name. This Ray Charles (1918–2015) was a noted educator, best known for his contributions to children’s patriotic music and his long career in educational television and music publishing.
“Fifty Nifty United States” was composed in 1961 as part of a patriotic musical revue commissioned by the American Bicentennial Commission, aimed at instilling national pride and civic awareness in young audiences. It quickly gained popularity in schools across the U.S. due to its clever structure and musical appeal.
Fifty Nifty United States Lyrics And Its Meaning
Here’s a structured breakdown of the lyrics of “Fifty Nifty United States”, split into verses with a short explanation for each
🎶 Verse 1
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies;
Fifty nifty stars in the flag that billows so beautif’ly in the breeze.
Each individual state contributes a quality that is great.
Each individual state deserves a bow, we salute them now.
Meaning:
This verse introduces the pride in having 50 states stemming from the original 13 colonies. It emphasizes unity and diversity, celebrating each state’s contribution to the nation. The “stars in the flag” represent those 50 states, and there’s a patriotic tone of honor and respect.
🎶 Verse 2
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,
Shout ’em, scout ’em, Tell all about ’em,
One by one till we’ve given a day to ev’ry state in the U.S.A.
Meaning:
This verse sets up the idea of naming and recognizing each state individually. The energetic “Shout ’em, scout ’em” encourages children to actively learn and share information about all the states, making geography fun and engaging.
🎶 Verse 3: State List Section
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut;
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana;
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan;
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada;
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
North Dakota, Ohio;
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas;
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming,
Al -a -o ming.
Meaning:
This is the memorization core of the song: the 50 U.S. states in alphabetical order. It’s rhythmic and catchy, making it easier for kids to memorize. “Al-a-o-ming” is a fun flourish at the end to make “Wyoming” rhyme and flow musically.
🎶 Verse 4: Closing Verse
North, south, east, west, in our calm, objective opinion,
(name of home state) is the best of the
Fifty nifty United States from thirteen original colonies,
Shout ’em, scout ’em, Tell all about ’em,
One by one till we’ve given a day to ev’ry state in the good old U. S. A.
Meaning:
This final verse brings it back to national unity while allowing students to take pride in their home state. It mixes personal affection for one’s own state with continued celebration of all 50. It wraps up the theme of honoring each state and instilling patriotism.
Learn More: Downtown Lights Lyrics
Why Is the Song So Popular?
“Fifty Nifty United States” is educational gold. Teachers adore it because it teaches all 50 U.S. states in alphabetical order—a notoriously tricky list for young students to memorize. Students love it because the melody is upbeat, fun, and easy to sing along to.
Memory Aid: Its catchy phrasing, especially in the middle section where the states are rapidly sung in order, serves as a mnemonic device. Many adults can still recite the states thanks to learning the song decades ago.
Anecdotes
- One teacher remarked, “Every year, I play this song and without fail, my third graders memorize the states faster than any worksheet could help.”
- A former student tweeted, “I forgot everything from elementary school except how to sing ‘Fifty Nifty United States.’”
Cultural Impact and Use in Education
The song is more than a memory tool—it’s a cultural touchstone for many Americans.
In Schools
Regularly performed in classroom lessons, school plays, music concerts, and patriotic assemblies, especially around Presidents’ Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
Online Popularity
- Numerous renditions of the song can be found on YouTube, from adorable kindergarten recitals to perfectly synchronized middle school choir performances.
- Some videos have gone viral, drawing comments from nostalgic adults reminiscing about singing it years ago.
💬 Many commenters write things like, “I still sing this in my head every time I alphabetize the states.”
Fun Facts About the Song
The full song takes about 2 to 3 minutes to perform, depending on the tempo.
😆 Tricky Parts
Kids often find the middle section—the rapid-fire listing of states—the most challenging and hilarious, especially when trying to pronounce “Connecticut” and “Massachusetts” without tripping up.
🙃 Misheard Lyrics
- Common joke versions include “Fifty nifty United States from 13 original colonies…and Texas twice!”
- Some students mistakenly mash “New Hampshire” and “New Jersey” into one hybrid state: “New Hampsey.”
💡 Teaching Tip: Many educators pair the song with hand motions or flashcards to reinforce state recognition both visually and aurally.
