TEXAS, OUR TEXAS

Playlist

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL STATE SONG OF TEXAS, COMPOSED IN 1924, BY GLADYS YOAKUM WRIGHT AND WILLIAM MARSH. THE WINNING SONG WAS SELECTED IN A STATE-WIDE CONTEST. PERFORMED BY THE TEXAS ALL STATE CONCERT BAND WITH THE AUDIENCE SINGING WITH THE BAND.

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Symphonic Band Performances

Contemporary band compositions, classical music arrangements, marches, jazz, symphonies, overtures. A collection from bands that I have played in throughout hi

Hello and welcome! "Symphonic Band Performances" is a compilation of recordings from several high school and college bands that I played in including the TMEA (Texas) All State Band, the TMEA Region X All Region Band, the Interlochen Arts Academy National Music Camp, the Cal Poly Tech Band, San Luis Obispo, the USAF Golden West Band, and recordings from my h.s. band, Beaumont H.S. and a few band recordings that were passed down to me. Also included are various All State groups and college and university bands. I participated and played in the large majority of these recordings. There are no professional recordings here and every recording is Public Domain. Most are available for free download. Each song has been converted from the original analog or digital source and edited with Audacity or Dak software. In the majority of these recordings, I play the tenor sax or alto sax, b flat or e flat clarinet, or directing. I was drum major for 2 years in high school, I have a BA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I studied music ed, composition and theory. I had about 500 more recordings I was planning to digitize and upload, but this past Nov. 20th, my home was completely destroyed by fire, and all the contents, including all my music and instruments. So, this is it. Please feel free to post a comment here or on my member page. If you like, please become a fan by clicking "I'm a fan" below.

Song Info

Genre

Classical • Ensembles

Charts

Peak #47

Peak in subgenre #6

Rights

public domain

Uploaded

September 10, 2009

Track Files

MP3

MP3 3.0 MB • 187 kbps • 2:12

Story behind the song

"Texas, Our Texas" is the state song of Texas. It was written in 1924 by William J. Marsh,who was born in Liverpool, England,and immigrated 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.
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:

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
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.

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