It was written and composed by Elizabeth Cook.
Originally titled Carolina, the song was written in 1939 but became the North Carolina State Song by a bill ratified August 3, 1927.
The most notable performance of "The Old North State" came while on the campaign trail, John F. Kennedy sang an adapted version with the lyrics, "This is the old North state! This is old North state of mine!" for North Carolina State University students on October 26, 1960 in Raleigh's Dorton Arena.