Iowa Corn Song
The Iowa Corn Song is a short, upbeat tune created by the Iowa Shriners in 1912 and first published in 1921 after more lyrics and music were added. It has been sung and played at many conventions and events since, and has been performed by artists like Percy Faith and The Browns.
The idea came after Shriner gatherings in Los Angeles in 1912, where they heard other states’ songs. George Hamilton, a Shriner and secretary of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, wrote the chorus words to the tune of “Travelling” by George Botsford. English immigrant John Beeston wrote the Shriner band’s musical score. Later, Ray W. Lockard added new lyrics and Edward Riley created a new musical setting. The final version appeared in 1921.
A tradition with the song is for singers to raise their arms over their heads when the words “tall corn” are sung in the chorus’s last line.
In 1922, Successful Farming advertised that you could order music pieces, including the Iowa Corn Song, as a Valentine’s gift, calling it a famous tune sung by Iowa delegations at conventions. Percy Faith performed it with his orchestra, and it was recorded on an early phonograph.
In 1964, Al Grady of the Iowa City Press-Citizen described the song as the state's playful “corny” anthem—catchy, easy to learn, and easy to sing.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:35 (CET).