A.B. "Happy" Chandler's Old Kentucky Home 

Today my family landed in Lexington to bring my father home one last time. Rest In Peace Dad.

I’m not sure a sports team unites a state of people like the university of Kentucky basketball. We truly love our state, our people, our places, it’s our old Kentucky home. God bless the great Commonwealth of Kentucky and prosperity for all.

Can't listen to this version without tearing up

I'm coming home after 10 years, Kentucky

Cudos to him. Happy chandler was my great great uncle❤️

Louisville fan, but this still brings a tear here too. He was really special.

If the good Lord is willing, I will return home to my beloved Commonwealth some day,and never leave her again

Found this interesting bit of info on Rob Lock, the player who gives Happy a hug at the end: After retiring from basketball, Lock pursued his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. He is currently the owner of Waldo Wright's Flying Service where he gives open cockpit rides to visitors in restored vintage biplanes. The family business is based in Polk City, Florida and is currently the largest provider of open cockpit flights

They named my elementary school after him! A. B. Chandler elementary school! Love you Chandler!❤

This song still gives me goosebumps

Happy was one of my Daddy's favorites! God bless Kentucky!

I was at that game… maybe the last time Happy sang at senior night. No one knew for sure at the time that it would be Rex Chapman’s last home game; think he was the first Kentucky player to turn pro as a sophomore.

I love this

Fun Fact: Anyone who runs for the governorship of Kentucky is required to be able to sing this song before being sworn into office.

Winston Bennett

The Governor

I think Gov. Chandler was 89 in this video.

I'm a lifelong Louisville fan, and a proud Kentucky native. I've been watching this video for a long time, and it still brings a tear to my eye.

My Old Kentucky Home, no matter what anyone says, is essentially a song about longing for an idealized version of your home, whether it be in Kentucky, Kansas, or California. That's why it stirs so much emotion.

I've said for years this is the version they should play at Senior Night. Put it up on the board, play it through the speakers. Nobody has ever sung with this much emotion at Rupp.

This is awesome! I’m a proud Ohioan, but glad to have you guys as our neighbors 🤝

So proud to grow up in this state and to support the winningest program in college basketball history. I love my old Kentucky home!!

I am proud to be from Kentucky. I live in Henderson County, which is the same county where Governor Chandler was born. I also used to attend the elementary school named after him. R.I.P. Albert Benjamin Chandler (1898-1991)

Wow. For those who don't know, as commissioner of the Major League Baseball association happy allowed Jackie Robinson to be the first black MLB PLAYER knowing his he'd lose his position as commissioner. Just a legend and a KY icon. Long may his legacy run. We need more of his ilk. That's some high octane ilk there though!

I'm not even from Kentucky. But Damm this gets me.

Proud to be born a study son of Appalachia and Flatwoods in Eastern Kentucky!

IF YOUR FROM KENTUCKY AND THIS DON'T BRING A TEAR TO YOUR EYES, YOU DON'T HAVE A KENTUCKY HEART. LOVE MY EASTERN KENTUCKY HOME. I'M FROM THE SAME COUNTY THAT HAPPY CHANDLER IS FROM... LOVE YOU KNOTT COUNTY.

Go Cats forever!!!💙💙💙💙💙

A Tar Heel who sheds a tear for this song.

I revisited this very warming and emotional performances by Gov. Chandler, I realized how much love the audience had for this special guy, he must have been a great governor and human being. A Son of Kentucky and southern gentleman.

It takes some major balls to sing this song that way. Especially as old as he was at the time. You haters can suck it. If this doesn't move your soul you're not a real Kentuckian.

Described as "one of the most emotional moments in sport," former Governor A.B. "Happy" Chandler sings the state anthem, "My Old Kentucky Home" - on Senior Night at Rupp Arena, March 2nd, 1988 - for Wildcats Ed Davender, Winston Bennett, Rob Lock, Cedric Jenkins, and Richard Madison. This was also Rex Chapman's final game in Lexington, as he entered the NBA draft after the 1987-1988 season.

I cannot believe the strength in his voice. That was wonderful. This Louisville boy has lived in Tallahassee since 1967 and wishes that Florida had a song to match and an ex-governor who could sign like that.

As a Gator fan. That was cool. Good show.

We were there. That was the night I became a Kentuckian.

I'm from TN & respect KY for horses & college basketball, just not pro sports.

I miss my old Kentucky home so Much... this is my favourite rendition of this song by far 💓

Is somebody dicing onions around here?

Oh, the sun shines bright On my old Kentucky home 'Tis summer, The old folks are gay Well, the corn top's ripe And the meadow's in the bloom While the birds make music All the day Weep no more, my lady Oh, weep no more, today We sing one song For my old Kentucky home For my old Kentucky home Far away. Well, the young folks roll All around the cabin floor They're merry, all Happy and bright By 'n by hard times will A-come a-knockin' at my door Then my old Kentucky home Good night Weep no more, my lady No, weep no more, today We sing one song For my old Kentucky home For my old Kentucky home Far away. Weep no more, my lady Oh, weep no more, today We sing one song For my old Kentucky home For my old Kentucky home Far away. For my old Kentucky home Far away

Wow happy chandler my great uncle I never got to meet him but just wow I’ve always known my family like to sing and could sing but I never knew where we got it from and now I know

It's Derby Day! Always have to relive a few Kentucky memories on that day.

None of UK's best players today ever get to experience this in the Calipari era, since the young mercenaries are all off to the pros long before their senior year.

This song always rips my guts out.

I'm not from Kentucky but the Governor's rendition made me mist up a bit, I go a long way back with this S. foster masterpiece having played it on my harmonica as a kid in Honolulu. It's sad the1986 Leg was compelled to change the lyrics for political correctness, Foster was sympathetic to Blacks and against slavery, this is evident in his other compositions. This will live on as a song telling a chapter of American history during Civil War times!

@rustyspoke Former Governor and former Commissioner of Baseball.

I love hearing this at UK games and the Derby. I’m proud of my Kentucky roots and I’m always happy to see that “Welcome to Kentucky” sign on my way home when I’ve been away.

Never knew that Happy was such a good singer!

still makes my hair stand up. dang this was emotional.

Happy Chandler was an American treasure. May the Good Lord hold him close for eternity.

Mucha mucha passion!!!college basketball Greatest tradition!

I’m not from Kentucky but it always stirs me whenever I hear this

You may be right, but they will be a part of the University of Kentucky and they, and more than a few others, will graduate and represent the state and university well. And before you throw off a flippant comment about UK grads, let me say that my UK grad (daughter) is dynamic and will blow you away when you see her making a career (thanks to the Patterson School})

This is ya'lls song. . . . I'm in Arkansas and our state song is "Arkansas, You Run Deep In Me" . . . . .

Love my old Kentucky home

Life long Kentuckian sitting here with some bourbon crying

The Governor

I was at this game with my now ex wife and ex brother and sister in law. Everyone for the most part were wiping tears away. Oklahoma was highly ranked and my memory is that we beat them.

Thank you for posting this!

Although I'm not from Kentucky, this video arouses many emotions and sentiments. Amazing!

@1:20 is that Romeo Crennel to the right???

What a blessing it is to be Kentuckian

One of my favorite teams. Screwed by the NCAA having to play all those SEC teams a fourth time.

Ich liebe diesen Song

Jim cornette mild cats

Absolutely electric

I'm not a liberal by any means, but kinda awkward to watch all the black players stand and begrudge a song that was literally about slavery being sung by an obvious Jim Crow politician. Just saying.

@jwhite0105 and no... i didn't mean my statement as conveyance that you were being racist. lol.

He is absolutely right, just because you don't understand some of the words doesn't mean he is wrong.

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOHN YOU KNOW WE NEED TO SEND SOME JOKES AROUND THINGS ARE GETTING "TOO CLOSE TO HOME" i'M 84 YOU KNOW lOTS OF LOVE AND THANKS AND BEST WISHES

Rex Chapman in the stands

It’s so dusty in here

Wow!!

Crying

Beautiful job

I cried.

I love this

Is Happy in the rafters? He should be!

He says the "people are gay" grow up and get off our wave.

Master blaster

Yeah forced to play Basketball for about 5 million a year, and of course none can ever come back again to get a degree.

Yo tengo una moneda de esas

God bless the Kentucky Wildcats! #8

this is awful NAPPY ROOTS

i keep laghing at the end im so sorry but i just do old men should not sing like that....!