The Heritage Golf Tournament, played annually at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, needed a song—or at least that was CFM’s inspiration.
The Heritage is far more than another stop on the PGA Tour, and its story is about much more than golf played on a beautiful course along the South Carolina coast. It is a story of people and place—of a family and a group of determined men who helped save the tournament from financial failure, of the rich Gullah culture that is part of the South Carolina Lowcountry’s heritage, and of a community that embraced an event that would become one of Hilton Head Island’s enduring traditions.
Then, at the inaugural tournament in 1969, lightning struck. Arnold Palmer won The Heritage at a time when some sportswriters believed his greatest victories were already behind him and one even wrote, “Palmer would never come back”. His 55th of 62 PGA wins immediately gave the new tournament national attention and helped introduce Sea Pines and Hilton Head Island to the world.
Over the years, The Heritage became part of the identity of Hilton Head Island—bringing together golf, history, culture, community, and the distinctive beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
"The Heritage" was written to tell that larger story. Because sometimes a golf tournament is about far more than golf.
LYRICS
We chillun o' de Lowcountry…
We walk dis land You give we, Lord…
From de marsh… to de green…
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
We leanin' on You…
Back in '69 when de world take note
Arnold Palmer win dat first—set it all afloat
Put Harbour Town name on de map dat day
An' de island start find a brand-new way
From marsh to green, somethin' start to grow
More than a game—was a place to know
Not just fairways… not just sand
But a livin' soul in dat Lowcountry land
In the eighties time, when the money run thin
Storm roll through… try shake them men
But ten stand tall, say "We gon' stay"
Keep this place… the Lowcountry way
Ten good men saw what others couldn't see
Not just a course… but community
Not a few days…it lasts all the year
Leh de lan' talk, mek de message come clear
Mawnin' sun done rise pon de Sound
Soft breeze hummin', hush all 'round
Moss da swing from de ol' oak tree
Lawd, dis ya place feel home to me
We teach, we gather, raisin' voices high,
We tend what's given, let the good flow wide
We care…we share,
Liftin' up souls everywhere
Swing low…
Swing low, hit it straight
Guide me now…
Show me de way
From de tee box down to de green so true
Ev'ry likkle shot, Lawd, I trust in You
Swing low… tek my hand
Walk me steady 'cross dis land
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
People dem gather, clap dem han'
Joy ring out 'cross dis ya land
Ain't fa pride… ain't fa show
But to let Your mercy flow
Wind come strong, try shake my soul
But You keep me steady, keep me whole
Like dem roots deep in de ground
You hold me firm… won't let me down
Swing low…
Swing low, hit it straight
Oh Lawd, stay wid me…
In dis ya place
When de doubt creep in an' my swing ain't true
I look to de hill—Lawd, I call on You
Swing low… hear my plea
You da eyes dat let me see
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
Win or lose, I testify
You da reason I lift my eye
From dis island to Heaven sho'
I gwine walk dis road wid You evermo'
Swing low…
Swing low, hit it straight
Guide me now…
Show me de way
From de tee box down to de green so true
Ev'ry step I take, Lawd, I trust in You
Swing low… tek my hand
Lead me home 'cross dis land
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
At the end of the day, plaid jacket shine
People cheer loud… but I bow my mind
True reward ain't what man can gie
Is walkin', Lawd, so close wid Thee
Final putt drop, crowd gone home
Still I know… I ain't lone
From fus' tee call to de settin' sun
My soul has memory, oh Holy One
Swing low… let me walk it straight, sweet Lawd…
Carry me safe… keep me strong…
Down by de marsh… You call my name…
Through loss an' win… You stay de same…
At the Heritage… where the tide still turn…
Swing low… swing low…