Yellow Rose of Texas

If the Texans only know the words to one song, then surely this must be it. You could almost describe it as the State Anthem (although it isn't - that honour goes to "Texas, Our Texas" which was adopted in 1929).

Who was the Yellow Rose?

The author of "Yellow Rose" is only known by their initials - J.K. and one theory has it that the writer composed the song about a young slave girl. In those days there were a number of terms to describe children of mixed race (most of which I will not repeat here) and someone who could pass for white was called a "high yellow".

One theory has it that the subject of the song was an indentured servant called Emily Morgan. To read the full story click here.

Whatever the origins, this song should always be sung with a jolly upbeat tempo - I have had the misfortune to hear it played slowly, and it just sounds like a dirge. So grab your banjo, throw your head back and sing!

The Yellow Rose of Texas
Words and music: J.K
Date: late 1850's

There's a yellow rose in Texas that I am going to see,
No other soldier knows her, no soldier only me;
She cried so when I left her, it like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her, we never more will part.

CHORUS:
She's the sweetest rose of colour this soldier ever knew,
Her eyes are bright like diamonds, they sparkle like the dew
You may talk about your dearest May and sing of Rosa Lee,
But the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

CHORUS

When the Rio Grande is flowing, and the starry skies are bright
She walks along the river in the quiet summer night
She thinks if I remember, when we parted long ago,
I promised to come back again and not to leave her so

CHORUS

Oh, now I'm going to find her, for my heart is full of woe
And we'll sing the song together, that we sang so long ago
We'll play the banjo gaily, and we'll sing the songs of yore,
And the Yellow Rose of Texas shall be mine forevermore.

CHORUS