Lyrics:

Carolina! Carolina! heaven's blessings attend her,
While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her,
Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her,
Still our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.
Hurrah! Hurrah! the Old North State forever,
Hurrah! Hurrah! the good Old North State.

Tho' she envies not others, their merited glory,
Say whose name stands the foremost, in liberty's story,
Tho' too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
Who can yield to just rule a more loyal submission.
Hurrah! Hurrah! the Old North State forever,
Hurrah! Hurrah! the good Old North State.

Then let all those who love us, love the land that we live in,
As happy a region as on this side of heaven,
Where plenty and peace, love and joy smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together the heart thrilling chorus.
Hurrah! Hurrah! the Old North State forever,
Hurrah! Hurrah! the good Old North State.

History of nickname "Old North State":

"The Old North State" is also North Carolina's official nickname with origins in 1629 when King Charles I granted territory in America to Sir Robert Heath (his Attorney General) to be named Carolina.

The territory consisted of all the land lying between "the Ocean upon the east side & soe to the west & soe fare as the Continent extends itselfe...." The northern border was to be the 36th parellel (roughly a line from Kill Devil Hills to Knoxville, Tennessee) ... read more on the North Carolina state nickname page.

Source:

State Song - The Old North State: NC State Library

Links:

The Old North State Sheet Music (PDF): for piano
State song sheet music (PDF): Public Schools of North Carolina 1942, published by the Department of Public Instruction
State Songs - 50 states
National Anthem