"Texas, Our Texas" is the

regional anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short s ...

of the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

, adopted in the late 1920s as the official

state song A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...

History

It was written in 1924 by William J. Marsh, who was born in

Liverpool, United Kingdom Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

, and emigrated to Texas as a young man, and Gladys Yoakum Wright (1891–1956), of

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...

. It was selected as the official

by a concurrent resolution of the

Texas Legislature The Texas State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. It is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The state legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin. It is a p ...

in 1929 following a statewide competition. Older songs, such as " The Yellow Rose of Texas" and "

Dixie Dixie, also known as Dixieland or Dixie's Land, is a nickname for all or part of the Southern United States. While there is no official definition of this region (and the included areas have shifted over the years), or the extent of the area i ...

", were also considered but ultimately it was decided a new song should be composed. Although the song has been sung since the 41st legislature in 1929, it was officially adopted by the 73rd legislature as the state song in 1993. The song is usually performed just after the

national anthem A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...

with a display of the

flag A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular) with distinctive colours and design. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and fla ...

. In the absence of the flag, those present during the song's performance are expected to face toward the music and act just as they would if the flag had been present. The first word of the third line was originally ''largest'', but when

Alaska Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...

became the largest U.S. state when it was admitted to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

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 1950s. As late as the 1990s, this song was still sung before classes in some schools, along with the pledge to the U.S. and Texan flags.

Tune

\relative c' \addlyrics

Lyrics

I 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. 𝄆 God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong, That you may grow in power and worth, Thro'out the ages long. 𝄇 II Texas, O Texas! Your freeborn single star, Sends out its radiance to nations near and far. Emblem of freedom! It sets our hearts aglow, With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious

Alamo The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna reclaimed the Alam ...

. III 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.

Notes

References

External links

* {{National anthems of North America Texas culture Songs about Texas United States state songs Anthems of non-sovereign states Symbols of Texas