Texana Thursday: 3 Things You Might Not Know about “Texas, Our Texas”

The sheet music for “Texas, Our Texas” (Southern Music Company)

Some people erroneously mistake the “The Eyes of Texas” to be the state song. It’s easy to understand why: it’s set to a popular tune (“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”) and it is always played at University of Texas sporting events, many of which are televised. The song gets its share of exposure.

“Texas, Our Texas” is the official state song, and it seems to be getting more exposure as some bands play it in their pregame routine.

You can listen to the song here.

Some things you might not know about “Texas, Our Texas:”

1. The songwriter was born in England.

William John Marsh was born in Liverpool, England, and emigrated to Texas 1904, when he was 24 years old. He worked in the cotton business and became a United States citizen in 1917. Later he became a professor at Texas Christian University and was a music critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Marsh died in 1971. A historical marker describing his achievement was placed near his gravesite in Fort Worth.

2. “Texas, Our Texas” became the state song in 1929.

Marsh wrote “Texas, Our Texas” in 1924. It won three separate competitions for best state song before the Texas Legislature made it official.

In 1993, the legislature readopted “Texas, Our Texas” as the official state song.

3. The lyrics underwent a slight revision in 1959.

The first verse of “Texas, Our Texas” is:

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.

The word “boldest” replaced “largest” when Alaska joined the United States in 1959.