Texas, Our Texas
Encyclopedia
"Texas, Our Texas"http://www.jatexas.com/public/Texas%20Our%20Texas%20Page.htm is the official state
song
of Texas
. It was written in 1924 by William J. Marsh, who was born in Liverpool, England, and emigrated to Texas as a young man, and Gladys Yoakum Wright, a native of Fort Worth, Texas
and selected as the state song by a concurrent resolution of the Texas Legislature
in 1929 following a statewide competition. Older songs such as "The Yellow Rose of Texas
" and "Dixie
" were also considered but ultimately it was decided a new song should be composed. At times, there have been movements to replace "Texas, Our Texas" with the better known "The Eyes of Texas
."
The first word of the third line was originally largest, but when Alaska
became the largest state when it was admitted to the United States
in 1959, the word was replaced with boldest.
This song was sung in group by elementary students in Texas at the beginning of their school classes during the 50's. At that time "largest" started the third line of the first verse. As of the 1980s, this song was still sung before classes, along with the pledge to the American and Texas flags, but with "boldest" instead of "largest."
(chorus)
(chorus)
Chorus:
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was written in 1924 by William J. Marsh, who was born in Liverpool, England, and emigrated to Texas as a young man, and Gladys Yoakum Wright, a native of Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
and selected as the state song by a concurrent resolution of the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
in 1929 following a statewide competition. Older songs such as "The Yellow Rose of Texas
The Yellow Rose of Texas
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional folk song. The original love song has become associated with the legend of how an indentured servant named Emily Morgan "helped win the battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in the Texas Revolution."...
" and "Dixie
Dixie (song)
Countless lyrical variants of "Dixie" exist, but the version attributed to Dan Emmett and its variations are the most popular. Emmett's lyrics as they were originally intended reflect the mood of the United States in the late 1850s toward growing abolitionist sentiment. The song presented the point...
" were also considered but ultimately it was decided a new song should be composed. At times, there have been movements to replace "Texas, Our Texas" with the better known "The Eyes of Texas
The Eyes of Texas
"The Eyes of Texas" is the alma mater of the University of Texas at Austin. It is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University sing the song at Longhorn sports games and other events....
."
The first word of the third line was originally largest, but when Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
became the largest state when it was admitted to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1959, the word was replaced with boldest.
This song was sung in group by elementary students in Texas at the beginning of their school classes during the 50's. At that time "largest" started the third line of the first verse. As of the 1980s, this song was still sung before classes, along with the pledge to the American and Texas flags, but with "boldest" instead of "largest."
Lyrics
- Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
- Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!
- Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
- O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.
(chorus)
- Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,
- Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
- Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,
- With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.
(chorus)
- Texas, dear Texas! from tyrant grip now free,
- Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
- Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
- Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.
Chorus:
- God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
- That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
- God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
- That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.