The Texas State Song

Texas, Our Texas

words by Gladys Yoakum Wright and William J. Marsh and music by William J. Marsh

    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.

   Refrain:
    God bless you Texas!  And keep you brave and strong,
    That you may grow in power and worth,
    Thro'out the ages long.

    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.

   Refrain:

    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.

   Refrain:

Adoption of the State Song

William J. Marsh (1880-1971) was born in Woolton, Liverpool England. He moved to Texas in 1904 and became a naturalized citizen in 1917. He was professor of organ, composition and theory at Texas Christian University. He was also Choir Director. As a composer, he published over 100 works, including the Christmas song, "O, Night Divine", Texas' first opera, "The Flower Fair at Peking", and the Texas state song, "Texas, Our Texas".

The Alamo

The search for an official state song for Texas began years before a song was actually selected. Along the way to an official state song, many were considered. Among those considered were "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Dixie". Eventually, the consensus was that it would be best to find a a new song for the purpose. A state-wide contest was sponsored, generating "best" songs from each state Senatorial District. District winners were chosen and met in final competition in Dallas.

The song that won in Dallas was "Texas, Our Texas". It had been composed in 1924 with music by William J. Marsh and words by Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright. It was a song that John Philip Sousa described as the finest state song he had ever heard.

The song, "Texas, Our Texas", words by Gladys Yoakum Wright and William J. Marsh (1880-1971) and music by William J. Marsh, was adopted as the official state song of Texas by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6 adopted on May 28, 1929. Resolution No. 6 is excerpted below.

WHEREAS, the 39th and 40th Legislatures passed resolutions authorizing the adoption of the state song for Texas, and

WHEREAS, a Committee of seven members, three from the Senate and four from the House, was appointed to select a song, according to rules set up by the Committee, and

WHEREAS, contests were held in Dallas for the purpose of selecting the song for adoption, and

WHEREAS, "Texas, Our Texas" by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright has been selected by the Legislative committee twice, proving the song was meritorious to the extent that it 'had sung itself into the hearts of the people,' now, therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING:

That "Texas, Our Texas" by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright be adopted as the State song for the State of Texas.