Jump to content

The Eyes of Texas: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Brea pdx (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
m fixed lint errors – stripped tags
 
(294 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|School spirit song}}
{{for|the TV series|The Eyes of Texas (TV series){{!}}''The Eyes of Texas'' (TV series)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
[[Image:eyesoftexas.jpg|UT Students and Football players singing The Eyes of Texas after a win versus [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Image:eyesoftexas.jpg|UT Students and Football players singing The Eyes of Texas after a win versus [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]|thumb|right|250px]]


'''"The Eyes of Texas"''' is the school spirit song of the [[University of Texas at Austin]]. It is set to the tune of "[[I've Been Working on the Railroad]]". Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university sing the song at [[Texas Longhorns]] sports games, before the fireworks and other events.
:''For the long-running Texas travel program of the same name, see [[The Eyes of Texas (TV Series)]].''

'''"The Eyes of Texas"''' is the [[alma mater]] of the [[University of Texas at Austin]]. It is set to the tune of "[[I've Been Working on the Railroad]]." Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University sing the song at [[Texas Longhorn Athletics|Longhorn]] sports games and other events.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:Frank erwin center 2.jpg|The Eyes of Texas at a [[University of Texas]] basketball game|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Image:Frank erwin center 2.jpg|The Eyes of Texas at a [[University of Texas]] basketball game|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Image:Eyes of texas baseball.JPG|The Eyes of Texas after a [[University of Texas]] baseball game|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Image:Eyes of texas baseball.JPG|The Eyes of Texas after a [[University of Texas]] baseball game|thumb|right|250px]]
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2012|talk=y}}
The song was written in 1903 by John Sinclair. The lyrics are said to be intended to poke fun at University President Colonel Prather. Prather had attended [[Washington and Lee College]], where [[Robert E. Lee]] would frequently tell his students "The eyes of the South are upon you." Prather was known for including in his speeches a similar admonition, "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You," meaning that the state of [[Texas]] was watching and expecting the students to go out and do great things. Prather enjoyed the song and promoted its usage. He died not long thereafter, and the song was played at his funeral. After this, the song achieved its complete dignity and meaning.
John Sinclair wrote the Texas-specific song lyrics in 1903 to the tune of the original folk song "[[I've Been Working on the Railroad]]", which was published nine years earlier in 1894. Sinclair was the editor of the Cactus yearbook, a UT band member, and a member of the Glee Club, and he wrote the lyrics per the request of band member Lewis Johnson. Johnson was also the program director of the Varsity Minstrel Show that raised funds for the university track team.


The lyrics are said to be intended to poke fun at university president [[William Lambdin Prather]]. At the time, the University of Texas had fewer than a thousand students, and there were weekly convocations of the students at which Prather would often speak. Prather customarily concluded his speeches by saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, the eyes of Texas are upon you," an admonition similar to one Robert E. Lee was said to have used while President of Washington College in Virginia, meaning that the state of [[Texas]] was watching and expecting the students to go out and do great things.<ref name="youtube.com">Interview of Carl T. Widen, last surviving member of original UT Longhorn Band and Glee Club, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv108rGL480</ref> Prather had attended Washington College (later Washington & Lee University), became a friend of Lee, and served as a pallbearer at Lee's funeral in 1870.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gdg.org/research/People/RELee/shleef.html | title=Funeral of General R. E. Lee. }}</ref>
An alternate source for the song's inspiration is offered in Hood's Texas Brigade: Lee's Grenadier Guard, a 1970 book by Col. Harold B. Simpson that tracked the history of the vaunted Texas Brigade during the Civil War. The brigade served under General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and fought with distinction in nearly all of the Civil War's pivotal battles. But their finest hour occurred on May 6, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness.


The song made its public debut as the last number at a Glee Club minstrel show, where it was met by the student audience with laughter and applause as a joke on President Prather's admonition. Prather too was in attendance, and enjoyed the song and promoted its usage.<ref name="youtube.com"/> He died in 1905,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/former-regents/william-lambdin-prather | title=William Lambdin Prather &#124; University of Texas System | date=March 11, 2021 }}</ref> and the song was played at his funeral.
General Grant's troops had broken the Confederate line and were driving the fleeing graycoats in disarray back into their reserves. The collapse of Lee's army - and the Confederate cause - seemed imminent when the Texas Brigade arrived with a resounding Rebel yell after an exhausting overnight march.


The song is sung at momentous occasions such as graduation and even solemn occasions such as funerals. Led by the Longhorn Marching Band, it was sung at the July 14, 2007, funeral of First Lady [[Lady Bird Johnson]], an alumna of the University of Texas.<ref name="Wash Post">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/14/AR2007071400225.html?nav=rss_nation | title=Lady Bird Johnson is remembered | newspaper=Washington Post | date=July 15, 2007 | author=Holley, Joe | access-date=2007-08-03}}</ref><ref name="Lady Bird Eyes">{{cite news | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aPqV0aPKMI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/2aPqV0aPKMI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live| title=Lady Bird Johnson Funeral - The Eyes of Texas | access-date=2007-08-03}}{{cbignore}}</ref> When singing the song, participants generally raise their right arm with their hand making the [[Hook 'em Horns]] symbol of The university.<ref name="Lady Bird Eyes"/> A recording of "The Eyes of Texas" was played over the [[Rose Bowl Stadium|Rose Bowl]] public-address system when the [[Dallas Cowboys]] defeated the [[Buffalo Bills]] to win [[Super Bowl XXVII]], while [[Madison Square Garden]] organist [[Ray Castoldi]] played it when the [[Houston Rockets]] defeated the [[New York Knicks]] in the seventh game of the [[1994 NBA Finals]] to clinch Texas' first NBA championship.
Moved by their fighting spirit, Lee himself rode to the front of the Texas line on his horse, Traveller, and remarked to his aides, "Texans always move them." The remark was passed down the cheering line, and the brigade formed into attack formation. Knowing that the charge would be deadly, the Brigade refused to move until General Lee moved behind them. ("General Lee to the rear.") Their commander, Col. John Gregg, then ordered them forward: "Attention Texas Brigade. The eyes of General Lee are upon you. Forward march!"


[[Highway]] [[rest area|rest stops]] through the state feature [[road signs]] stating that "The Eyes of Texas are upon You!" These signs feature a silhouette of a [[Texas Ranger Division|Texas Ranger]], encouraging motorists to call [[9-1-1]] to report criminal activity.
The 811-man brigade surged forward and stopped the federal advance before driving the bluecoats back through two of their defensive lines. Their frontal assault against superior numbers was brutal and costly with 565 casualties (dead and wounded). But it saved the day and prolonged the Confederacy for another year.


"The Eyes of Texas" was once the fight song of the [[University of Texas at El Paso]] (UTEP). In 1920, UTEP was known as College of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas (sometimes referred to as "Texas College of Mines", or "TCM"). As a branch of the University of Texas, the song automatically became TCM's fight song. The university replaced it with [[Marty Robbins | Marty Robbins's]] [[El Paso (song)|"El Paso"]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Calderon |first1=Damiane |title=Robbins Hit to Replace Fight Song |publisher=Prospector |date=31 January 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UTEP Spirit |url=https://alumni.utep.edu/historyandspirit |access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref>
Simpson's history is exhaustingly sourced and deserving of serious consideration as the primary inspiration for the song. After the war, Lee retired to Washington College (now [[Washington and Lee University]]), where he taught Prather and could easily have related both the story and the saying. Lee had an abiding respect for the courage, strength and character of his "Texian" fighters, who were arguably the South's finest troops. Prather was one of the pallbearers at Lee's funeral in 1870.


"The Eyes of Texas" is also sung at the graduation of [[University of Texas Medical Branch]] (UTMB). UTMB is the first, but not the only state medical school in Texas.
The song is sung at momentous occasions such as graduation and even solemn occasions such as funerals. Led by the Longhorn Marching Band, it was sung at the July 14, 2007 funeral of First Lady [[Lady Bird Johnson|Lady Bird (Claudia Taylor) Johnson]], an alumna of the University of Texas.<ref name="Wash Post">{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/14/AR2007071400225.html?nav=rss_nation | title=Lady Bird Johnson is remembered | publisher=Washington Post | date=July 15, 2007 | author=Holley, Joe | accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref><ref name="Lady Bird Eyes">{{cite news | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aPqV0aPKMI | title=Lady Bird Johnson Funeral - The Eyes of Texas | accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref> When singing the song, participants generally raise their right arm with their hand making the [[Hook 'em Horns]] symbol of The University.<ref name="Lady Bird Eyes"/>


== Lyrics ==
[[Highway]] [[rest area|rest stops]] through the state feature [[road signs]] stating that "The Eyes of Texas are upon" drunk drivers. These signs feature a cartoon longhorn holding a [[cell phone]], encouraging motorists to call [[911]] to report drunk drivers.
The lyrics are set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad". A comparison of the lyrics of that song and "The Eyes of Texas" shows the nature of the parody in the latter:


'''I’ve Been Working on the Railroad'''
The Eyes of Texas is also the alma mater of the [[University of Texas at El Paso]] (UTEP). At the time, UTEP was called Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy (TCM). It was adopted in 1920 by the student body after UT (Austin) had declared it their school anthem. UTEP is the second oldest academic component of the U.T. System, having been founded in 1914.


I’ve been working on the railroad,<br>
The Eyes of Texas is also the sung at the graduation of [[University of Texas Medical Branch]] (UTMB). UTMB is the first, but not the only state medical school.
All the live-long day.<br>
[http://organizations.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=22489]
I’ve been working on the railroad,<br>
Just to pass the time away.<br>
Do you hear the whistle blowing?<br>
Rise up so early in the morn!<br>
Do you hear the captain calling,<br>
“Dinah blow your horn”?


'''The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You'''
==Lyrics==
:The eyes of Texas are upon you,
:All the live long day.
:The eyes of Texas are upon you,
:You cannot get away.
:Do not think you can escape them,
:At night, or early in the morn'.
:The eyes of Texas are upon you,
:Till [[Gabriel]] blows his horn!


The Eyes of Texas are upon you,<br>
<small>([http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/sounds/ A Longhorn Band performance of the song can be found here.])</small>
All the live-long day.<br>
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 26, 1843 |title=A Camp-fire Story |pages=Vol. III, No. 44, p. 1 |work=Highland Messenger}}</ref><br>
You cannot get away.<br>
Do not think you can escape them,<br>
From night ‘til early in the morn.<br>
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,<br>
’til [[Gabriel]] blows his horn.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Texas Longhorns Athletics - Traditions: 'The Eyes of Texas'|url = http://www.texassports.com/sports/2013/7/28/traditions_0728131333.aspx?id=267|website = www.texassports.com|access-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref>

It is common practice that the last line, "Til Gabriel blows his horn", is sung and played to a slightly slower tempo than the rest of the song. Students, faculty, staff, athletes, and alumni punctuate each beat of the last line with a small chopping motion of their right raised arm and "Hook 'Em" hand sign.


==Usage in popular culture==
==Usage in popular culture==
The song was sung each morning by school children in Castro County, Texas at the Hart Elementary and the Dimmett High School every morning before classes after the Pledge of Allegiance. This was as early as 1926 to 1938, according to a student, Joe Erwin Stewart, who attended between those dates.
===Appearances in [[film]]===

*The song was sung by a group of soldiers in the 1944 movie ''[[Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo]]'', based on the [[Doolittle Raid]] during [[World War II]].
===Appearances in film===
*[[Roy Rogers]] starred in a 1948 film titled ''Eyes of Texas''.
*The song is played repeatedly in the 1956 movie ''[[Giant (film)|Giant]]''.{{ref|Bunko}}
*The song is sung by a group of soldiers in the 1944 film ''[[Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo]]'', based on the [[Doolittle Raid]] during [[World War II]].
*[[Roy Rogers]] starred in a 1948 film titled ''[[Eyes of Texas (film)|Eyes of Texas]]''.
*The song is on the soundtrack of [[Dimitri Tiomkin]] version of ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'', which was nominated for the Academy Awards of Best Music (Original Song) and for Best Music (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) in 1961.{{ref|Alamo}}
*The song is sung in combat by pilot Cowboy Blithe ([[Don Taylor (American actor and director)|Don Taylor]]) in the 1951 film ''[[Flying Leathernecks]]''.
*[[Elvis Presley]] sings it as part of a medley with "[[The Yellow Rose of Texas]]" in ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]'' from 1963.
*The song is sung throughout by various infantrymen in the 1951 film ''[[Go for Broke! (1951 film)|Go for Broke!]]''.
*In [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1974 movie ''[[The Sugarland Express]]'', as the slow-speed police chase comes into a small town thronged with supporters of the fugitive couple, the [[marching band]] is playing "The Eyes of Texas." The [[Film score|score]] was conducted by [[John Williams]].
*The song is played repeatedly in the 1956 movie, [[Giant (1956 film)|Giant]], including the final shot with a close-up of the eyes of the two Benedict children, representing the future of Texas.{{ref|Bunko}}
*As background to an inaugural ball for newly elected president [[Lyndon Johnson]] in the opening scene in the movie ''[[Path to War]]''.
*The song is included in [[Dimitri Tiomkin]]'s score for the 1960 film ''[[The Alamo (1960 film)|The Alamo]]'', which was nominated for the Academy Awards of Best Music (Original Song) and for Best Music (Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) in 1961.{{ref|Alamo}} Battle of the Alamo occurred in 1836, 67 years before the song was written.
*Sung by [[Roy Orbison]] and [[Hank Williams Jr.]] to calm a rowdy group at a country-western bar in the film ''[[Roadie (film)|Roadie]]''. Travis Redfish, played by [[Meat Loaf]] sings along.
*[[Elvis Presley]] sings it as part of a medley with "[[The Yellow Rose of Texas (song)|The Yellow Rose of Texas]]" in the 1963 film ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]''.
*The song was sung by Capt. Oppo ([[Sergio Fantoni]]) and citizens of Valerno in 1966 film ''[[What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?]]''
*In [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1974 film ''[[The Sugarland Express]]'', as the slow-speed police chase comes into a small town thronged with supporters of the fugitive couple, the [[marching band]] is playing "The Eyes of Texas".
*Sung by [[Roy Orbison]] and [[Hank Williams Jr.]] to calm a rowdy group at a country-western bar in the 1980 film ''[[Roadie (1980 film)|Roadie]]''. Travis Redfish, played by [[Meat Loaf]] sings along.
*Played in the 1983 film ''[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]'', as background when [[Project Mercury]] [[astronaut]]s arrive at the official party held in their honor in the Houston [[Astrodome]].
*Used as background music to the 1965 inaugural ball for President [[Lyndon Johnson]] in the opening scene in the 2002 film ''[[Path to War]]''.
*Used as the theme song for both the radio and television versions of ''[[Tales of the Texas Rangers]]''.
*Used as the theme song for both the radio and television versions of ''[[Tales of the Texas Rangers]]''.
*Sung by a group of schoolchildren at [[John F. Kennedy|President John F. Kennedy]]'s breakfast speech in [[Fort Worth, Texas]] on the morning of his [[John F. Kennedy assassination|assassination]] on November 22, 1963. This clip can be seen in the film "[[The Men Who Killed Kennedy]]" and, more recently, in [[The History Channel]]'s 2009 documentary [[JFK: Three Shots That Changed America]].
*Sung by a group of schoolchildren at [[John F. Kennedy|President John F. Kennedy]]'s breakfast speech in [[Fort Worth, Texas]] on the morning of his [[John F. Kennedy assassination|assassination]] on November 22, 1963. This clip can be seen in the films ''[[Four Days in November]]'', ''[[The Men Who Killed Kennedy]]'', and, more recently, in [[History (U.S. TV channel)|The History Channel]]'s 2009 documentary ''[[JFK: 3 Shots That Changed America]]''.

*Played in "[[The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]", as background when [[Project Mercury]] [[Astronaut]]s arrive at the official party held in their honor in the Houston [[Astrodome]].
===Other uses===
*Sung at Texas Bluebonnet Girls State, as part of the flag ceremony medley.
* On November 7, 2019, Gucci Mane performed a trap version of the song on the special taping of the ''Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' at the University of Texas at Austin.
*From 1977 to 1982, it was used along with two other songs in the second segment for the [[Audio-Animatronics|Audio-Animatronic]], Dolli Dimples, in the original [[Chuck E. Cheese|Chuck E Cheese]] Pizza Time Theatre (now called Chuck E in [[San Jose, California]]
*[[Brazil]]ian radio station [[Rádio Bandeirantes]] uses a modified instrumental version of this song during soccer matches, and a version with altered lyrics as a jingle for the pre and post game programs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-30|title=As primeiras palavras na inauguração da Rádio Bandeirantes de São Paulo|url=https://radios.ebc.com.br/todas-vozes/edicao/2014-07/primeiras-palavras-na-inauguracao-da-radio-bandeirantes-de-sao-paulo|access-date=2021-12-01|website=EBC Rádios|language=pt-br}}</ref>


===Appearances in other songs===
===Appearances in other songs===
*The song forms the chorus portion of "VI. Chorale And Finale" from [[Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities]]{{ref|schickele}}
*The song forms the chorus portion of "VI. Chorale and Finale" from [[Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities]].{{ref|schickele}}
*The rock group [[Masters of Reality]] uses the title in the lyrics of their song "The Eyes of Texas", on their 1989 [[Masters of Reality (album)|self-titled debut album]].
*The song title and the following lyrics,'The eyes of Texas are upon you,' are used on the 1988 self-titled debut album by the rock band, Masters of Reality.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Reality/dp/B00008FKHE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1251911649&sr=8-3</ref>
*The [[Aggie War Hymn]] references the song with the lyrics "'The Eyes of Texas are upon you', that is the song they sing so well, sounds like hell".
*The [[Aggie War Hymn]] refers to the song with the lyrics "'The Eyes of Texas are upon you' / That is the song they sing so well", often followed by "Sounds like hell!".
*The opening fanfare of "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" features Alabama's vocalists accompanied by just a piano singing a few bars of "The Eyes of Texas." This introduction leads into the single's opening, which suddenly picks up the tempo to 3/4-time. <ref name="Wikipedia">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You're_Gonna_Play_in_Texas_(You_Gotta_Have_a_Fiddle_in_the_Band)]</ref>
*The opening fanfare of "[[If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)]]" features [[Alabama (American band)|Alabama's]] vocalists accompanied by just a piano singing a few bars of "The Eyes of Texas". This introduction leads into the single's opening, which suddenly picks up the tempo to a quick duple-meter.
*The Christmas song "Santa Got Lost In Texas" is based on the melody, with lyrics rewritten by [[Ken Darby]]. It was introduced by [[Michael Landon]] in the LP ''Bonanza - Christmas On The Ponderosa'' in 1963. The [[Jeff Carson]] version became a national chart record in early 1996.
*''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' uses a rewritten version in the opening credits "the eyes of the Ranger are upon you every wrong you do he's gonna see"


==Secret Society==
== Controversy ==
The lyrics of the song have been interpreted as embracing the "[[Lost Cause of the Confederacy|Lost Cause]]" ideology, which advocates the belief that the practice of [[Slavery in the United States|slavery]] in the [[Antebellum South]] was just and moral.<ref name=McElroy2020>{{cite news |last1=McElroy |first1=Kathleen |title=Opinion: Gazing right back at 'The Eyes of Texas' and its origins |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/your-voice/2020/06/21/opinion-gazing-right-back-at-lsquothe-eyes-of-texasrsquo-and-its-origins/42496955/ |access-date=2 March 2021 |work=[[Austin American-Statesman]] |date=July 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name="nyt_steeped"/> This interpretation was based on a tradition that held that UT President William Prather had adapted the phrase from [[General Robert E. Lee]]'s purported use of the phrase "The eyes of the South are upon you" to advocate Lost Cause nostalgia.<ref name=McElroy2020/><ref name="Maas2021">{{cite news |last1=Maas |first1=Jimmy |title=Committee Deems 'Eyes Of Texas' Not 'Overtly Racist' |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975382833/committee-deems-eyes-of-texas-not-overtly-racist |access-date=10 March 2021 |work=[[All Things Considered]], [[NPR]] |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> Prather had attended Washington College, now [[Washington and Lee University]], whose president was [[Robert E. Lee]]. All of these interpretations predate research from a report that
[[The Eyes of Texas (secret society)]] is a secret society on the UT campus. Its alleged purpose is "to unselfishly serve the University of Texas at Austin." The organization awards the Eyes of Texas Excellence Awards to outstanding staff and faculty, the Margaret C. Berry Award for outstanding contributions to student life, and the Glen Maloney 40 Acres Award. The Eyes of Texas were first registered as a student organization on March 5, [[1976]] and are still active on the UT campus. They are represented by the symbol of an eye posted on all campus kiosks which the organization maintains.{{ref|studentorg}}.
found "no primary source has been found connecting the phrase as something that Lee used" and additionally found no evidence in Washington & Lee University records "that Lee ever closed an address to the students with the phrase".<ref name="The University of Texas">{{cite report |title=The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report |date=March 9, 2021 |url=http://utw10957.utweb.utexas.edu/eot-report/Eyes_of_Texas_Report_3.2021.pdf |publisher=The University of Texas}}</ref> However, a report by UT Austin history professor Alberto Martinez states that President William Prather's use of the phrase was inspired by a line spoken by confederate general Maxcy Gregg about Robert E Lee. While no primary source "has been found connecting the phrase as something that Lee used", four independent secondary accounts, by both of William Prather's children, T.U. Taylor (who recounted the story multiple times in the decades before his 1938 memoir), and Jim Cannon have all stated that Prather's inspiration for the phrase was General Robert E. Lee.<ref>{{cite report |title=True Origin of 'The Eyes of Texas'|date=March 24, 2021 |url=https://almartinezut.medium.com/true-origins-of-the-eyes-of-texas-3f2188569f0e |access-date=11 July 2021 |publisher=Medium}}</ref> The phrase "The Eyes of Texas" was in use well before the Civil War with regard to Texas itself. In a column entitled "A Campfire Story" in the Highland Messenger of May 26, 1843, a report on early military discipline in Texas shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, a colonel is said to have addressed his troops, saying "The eyes of Texas, the eyes of her bravest officers, ''my'' eyes are upon you."


In June 2020, several players on the University of Texas at Austin football team requested that the university replace the song with one "without racist undertones".<ref name="nyt_steeped">{{Cite news|last1=Cramer|first1=Maria|last2=Diaz|first2=Johnny|date=2020-06-13|title=Texas Football Players Call on University to Drop a Song Steeped in Racist History|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/13/us/eyes-texas-racist-longhorn-football.html|access-date=2020-06-13|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/_brennaneagles_/status/1271518098248667139|title=✊🏾"What starts here changes the world" #WeAreOne|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> In response to the players' request, African-American former University of Texas football players [[Earl Campbell]] and [[Ricky Williams]] spoke out to keep the song in place as UT's alma mater.<ref name="Chronicle">{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Earl-Campbell-singing-The-Eyes-of-Texas-song-UT-15554342.php |last=Young |first=Matt |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Earl Campbell still supports his school's 'Eyes of Texas' song |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=September 12, 2020}}</ref>
The Eyes of Texas were implicated in the 2009-2010 student government election scandal, the largest in national collegiate student government history.

Campbell's comments on "The Eyes of Texas" are as follows:

{{blockquote|"I'm proud of that song", ~ "I think there's a lot of things that can be done other than that song in my opinion. I just believe 'The Eyes of Texas' stands for something."<ref name="Chronicle"/>}}

Williams was also quoted as saying:

{{blockquote|"I think it's important to understand our history and to understand where the song came from, but I think it's more powerful to transform the meaning of the song and the definition of the song rather than trying to erase our history like it never existed"<ref name="Chronicle"/>}}

Following those requests, interim UT president [[Jay Hartzell]] announced that the song would remain as the [[alma mater]] but that the university would work to "reclaim and redefine" the song by openly acknowledging its history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/texas-will-keep-eyes-of-texas-as-alma-mater-rename-field-after-former-heisman-trophy-winners/ |title=Texas will keep 'Eyes of Texas' as alma mater, rename field after former Heisman Trophy winners |last=Kercheval |first=Ben |date=July 13, 2020 |website=[[CBS Sports]] |access-date=July 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/ut-will-keep-eyes-of-texas-but-will-rename-buildings-as-black-students-call-for-change |title=UT will keep 'Eyes of Texas,' but will rename buildings as Black students call for change |last=Oxner |first=Reese |date=July 13, 2020 |website=[[KEYE-TV|CBS Austin]] |access-date=July 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cramer|first=Maria|date=2020-07-14|title=University of Texas Won't Drop Song With Racist History as Players Requested|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/us/eyes-of-texas-football.html|access-date=2020-07-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In October 2020, the University of Texas band was unable to perform the song at football games, due to a lack of members willing to play it. The athletic department stated that it would play a recorded version of the song prior to sports events.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heyward |first1=Giulia |last2=Gast |first2=Phil |title=University of Texas band won't play its alma mater because it was once performed at minstrel shows |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/22/us/university-of-texas-band-minstrel-trnd/ |work=[[CNN]] |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref>

A March 2021 investigative report by ''[[The Texas Tribune]]'' published snippets of alumni and donor emails to president Hartzell. In these emails, the alumni and donors demanded that Hartzell take a stronger stance supporting "The Eyes of Texas" and threatened to cancel their financial contributions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Kate |title='UT needs rich donors': Emails show wealthy alumni supporting 'Eyes of Texas' threatened to pull donations |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/01/ut-eyes-of-texas-donors-emails/ |access-date=1 March 2021 |work=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=1 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In a statement, Hartzell apologized for the "abhorrent and hateful" emails from some of the alumni.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitford |first1=Emma |title=UT Austin President 'Categorically' Rejects Hateful Emails |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2021/03/04/ut-austin-president-%E2%80%98categorically%E2%80%99-rejects-hateful-emails |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=4 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The March 2021 report titled ''"The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report"'' confirmed the song's minstrel show "debuted in a racist setting, exceedingly common for the time",<ref>{{cite report |title=The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report |date=March 9, 2021 |url=http://utw10957.utweb.utexas.edu/eot-report/Eyes_of_Texas_Report_3.2021.pdf |publisher=The University of Texas |page=3}}</ref> but found no racist intent.<ref name="The University of Texas"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Lauren M. |title=A University of Texas report confirms its alma mater's complicated history but finds 'no racist intent' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/us/ut-alma-mater-eyes-of-texas-report-trnd/index.html |access-date=11 March 2021 |work=[[CNN]] |date=10 March 2021}}</ref>

The university announced in April 2021 that by 2022 there would be a new separate band for students who didn't want to play "The Eyes of Texas". However, this announcement was met with pushback, as opponents argued that forcing students into a different band was an attempt to create a "separate but equal" alternative that violated constitutional equal protection standards.<ref name=APNews/>

On September 3, 2021, the Texas chapter of the [[NAACP]] filed a complaint with the [[U.S. Department of Education]] against the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] for its continued use of the school song. The federal civil rights complaint alleged that "Black students, athletes, band members, faculty and alumni [were] being subjected to violations of the Civil Rights Act and a hostile campus environment over the 'offensive', 'disrespectful' and 'aggressive' use of the song".<ref name=APNews>{{cite web|title=Texas NAACP files federal complaint over "The Eyes of Texas"|date=September 8, 2021|author=Jim Vertuno|url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-college-football-football-texas-us-department-of-education-f73b254c1192b8c548eab69e2d4577a4|publisher=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Texas NAACP, Student Group Files Federal Complaint Over 'The Eyes of Texas' Song|date=September 8, 2021|url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/09/08/texas-naacp-files-federal-complaint-the-eyes-of-texas|publisher=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
<references/>
#{{note|eyesUtexas}} [http://www.utexas.edu/supportut/news_pub/tl_spr03_eyes.html "It’s a Century Later, and the Eyes of Texas are Still Upon You"] ''Support UT'' news story from [[March 2003]] concerning the centennial of ''The Eyes of Texas''
#{{note|eyesUtexas}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060302180904/http://www.utexas.edu/supportut/news_pub/tl_spr03_eyes.html "It's a Century Later, and the Eyes of Texas are Still Upon You"] ''Support UT'' news story from March 2003 concerning the centennial of ''The Eyes of Texas''
#{{note|Bunko}} [http://www.bunkosquad.com/100movies/index.phtml?page=giant.inc Film review of "Giant"] - Accessed 20 March 2006
#{{note|Bunko}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20060329155610/http://www.bunkosquad.com/100movies/index.phtml?page=giant.inc Film review of "Giant"] - Accessed 20 March 2006
#{{note|Alamo}} [http://www.mfiles.co.uk/reviews/dimitri-tiomkin-the-alamo.htm The Alamo] - Accessed 20 March 2006
#{{note|Alamo}} [http://www.mfiles.co.uk/reviews/dimitri-tiomkin-the-alamo.htm The Alamo] Accessed 20 March 2006
#{{note|studentorg}} [http://www.utexas.edu/staff/eyesoftexas.html "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Excellence Award Winners"]
#{{note|studentorg}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20051130125010/http://www.utexas.edu/staff/eyesoftexas.html "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Excellence Award Winners"]
#{{note|schickele}} [[P.D.Q. Bach]]. "VI. Chorus and Finale". [[Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities]]. [[CD]]. Telarc CD-80239, [[1990]].
#{{note|schickele}} [[P.D.Q. Bach]]. "VI. Chorus and Finale". [[Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities]]. [[CD]]. Telarc CD-80239, 1990.


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikisource}}
{{wikisource}}
{{commons|Eyes of Texas}}
{{commons|Eyes of Texas}}
*[http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/sounds/eyes_med.qtl "The Eyes of Texas" performed by the Texas Longhorn Band (for DSL)] [http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/sounds/eyes_low.qtl for 56k]
*[http://mbe187.music.utexas.edu/LonghornBand/SoundClips/10%20Track%2010.mp3 "The Eyes of Texas" performed by the Texas Longhorn Band]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{Handbook of Texas|id=EE/xee1.html|name=Eyes of Texas}}
*{{Handbook of Texas|id=xee01|name=Eyes of Texas}}
*[http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html Lyrics and history of "The Eyes of Texas" and other Texas traditionals]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150531080159/http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs/ Lyrics and history of "The Eyes of Texas" and other Texas traditionals]
*[http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald/studentorgs/vieworgs.php?org=475 Official Student Organization listing of "The Eyes of Texas"]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100609224632/http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sald/studentorgs/vieworgs.php?org=475 Official Student Organization listing of "The Eyes of Texas"]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20041012143409/http://www.austinreview.com/98.2.9/Headlines.html The Eyes of The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Us]
*{{Cite web |url=http://www.austinreview.com/98.2.9/Headlines.html |title=The Eyes of The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Us |access-date=December 5, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012143409/http://www.austinreview.com/98.2.9/Headlines.html |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
*[http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/news/pressreleases/culver.asp The Eyes of Texas Award]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050325235902/http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/news/pressreleases/culver.asp The Eyes of Texas Award]
*[https://archive.org/stream/carminaprinceto00univgoog#page/n27/mode/2up Levee song]

{{University of Texas at Austin}}
{{University of Texas at Austin}}{{UTEP}}
{{Big 12 fight songs}}
{{Big 12 fight songs}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Eyes of Texas, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eyes Of Texas, The}}
[[Category:Institutional songs]]
[[Category:Institutional songs|Texas]]
[[Category:1903 songs]]
[[Category:1903 songs]]
[[Category:American college songs|Texas]]
[[Category:Elvis Presley songs]]
[[Category:Texas Longhorns]]
[[Category:Texas Longhorns]]
[[Category:American college songs]]
[[Category:UTEP Miners]]
[[Category:Alma mater songs|Texas]]
[[Category:Texas culture]]
[[Category:Texas culture]]
[[Category:Songs about Texas]]
[[Category:Songs about Texas]]
[[Category:Lost Cause of the Confederacy in popular culture]]

Latest revision as of 23:52, 9 November 2024

UT Students and Football players singing The Eyes of Texas after a win versus Nebraska

"The Eyes of Texas" is the school spirit song of the University of Texas at Austin. It is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad". Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the university sing the song at Texas Longhorns sports games, before the fireworks and other events.

History

[edit]
The Eyes of Texas at a University of Texas basketball game
The Eyes of Texas after a University of Texas baseball game

John Sinclair wrote the Texas-specific song lyrics in 1903 to the tune of the original folk song "I've Been Working on the Railroad", which was published nine years earlier in 1894. Sinclair was the editor of the Cactus yearbook, a UT band member, and a member of the Glee Club, and he wrote the lyrics per the request of band member Lewis Johnson. Johnson was also the program director of the Varsity Minstrel Show that raised funds for the university track team.

The lyrics are said to be intended to poke fun at university president William Lambdin Prather. At the time, the University of Texas had fewer than a thousand students, and there were weekly convocations of the students at which Prather would often speak. Prather customarily concluded his speeches by saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, the eyes of Texas are upon you," an admonition similar to one Robert E. Lee was said to have used while President of Washington College in Virginia, meaning that the state of Texas was watching and expecting the students to go out and do great things.[1] Prather had attended Washington College (later Washington & Lee University), became a friend of Lee, and served as a pallbearer at Lee's funeral in 1870.[2]

The song made its public debut as the last number at a Glee Club minstrel show, where it was met by the student audience with laughter and applause as a joke on President Prather's admonition. Prather too was in attendance, and enjoyed the song and promoted its usage.[1] He died in 1905,[3] and the song was played at his funeral.

The song is sung at momentous occasions such as graduation and even solemn occasions such as funerals. Led by the Longhorn Marching Band, it was sung at the July 14, 2007, funeral of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, an alumna of the University of Texas.[4][5] When singing the song, participants generally raise their right arm with their hand making the Hook 'em Horns symbol of The university.[5] A recording of "The Eyes of Texas" was played over the Rose Bowl public-address system when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills to win Super Bowl XXVII, while Madison Square Garden organist Ray Castoldi played it when the Houston Rockets defeated the New York Knicks in the seventh game of the 1994 NBA Finals to clinch Texas' first NBA championship.

Highway rest stops through the state feature road signs stating that "The Eyes of Texas are upon You!" These signs feature a silhouette of a Texas Ranger, encouraging motorists to call 9-1-1 to report criminal activity.

"The Eyes of Texas" was once the fight song of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). In 1920, UTEP was known as College of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas (sometimes referred to as "Texas College of Mines", or "TCM"). As a branch of the University of Texas, the song automatically became TCM's fight song. The university replaced it with Marty Robbins's "El Paso" in 1985.[6][7]

"The Eyes of Texas" is also sung at the graduation of University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). UTMB is the first, but not the only state medical school in Texas.

Lyrics

[edit]

The lyrics are set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad". A comparison of the lyrics of that song and "The Eyes of Texas" shows the nature of the parody in the latter:

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad

I’ve been working on the railroad,
All the live-long day.
I’ve been working on the railroad,
Just to pass the time away.
Do you hear the whistle blowing?
Rise up so early in the morn!
Do you hear the captain calling,
“Dinah blow your horn”?

The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You

The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
All the live-long day.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,[8]
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them,
From night ‘til early in the morn.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
’til Gabriel blows his horn.[9]

It is common practice that the last line, "Til Gabriel blows his horn", is sung and played to a slightly slower tempo than the rest of the song. Students, faculty, staff, athletes, and alumni punctuate each beat of the last line with a small chopping motion of their right raised arm and "Hook 'Em" hand sign.

[edit]

The song was sung each morning by school children in Castro County, Texas at the Hart Elementary and the Dimmett High School every morning before classes after the Pledge of Allegiance. This was as early as 1926 to 1938, according to a student, Joe Erwin Stewart, who attended between those dates.

Appearances in film

[edit]

Other uses

[edit]
  • Sung at Texas Bluebonnet Girls State, as part of the flag ceremony medley.
  • On November 7, 2019, Gucci Mane performed a trap version of the song on the special taping of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at the University of Texas at Austin.
  • From 1977 to 1982, it was used along with two other songs in the second segment for the Audio-Animatronic, Dolli Dimples, in the original Chuck E Cheese Pizza Time Theatre (now called Chuck E in San Jose, California
  • Brazilian radio station Rádio Bandeirantes uses a modified instrumental version of this song during soccer matches, and a version with altered lyrics as a jingle for the pre and post game programs.[10]

Appearances in other songs

[edit]

Controversy

[edit]

The lyrics of the song have been interpreted as embracing the "Lost Cause" ideology, which advocates the belief that the practice of slavery in the Antebellum South was just and moral.[11][12] This interpretation was based on a tradition that held that UT President William Prather had adapted the phrase from General Robert E. Lee's purported use of the phrase "The eyes of the South are upon you" to advocate Lost Cause nostalgia.[11][13] Prather had attended Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, whose president was Robert E. Lee. All of these interpretations predate research from a report that found "no primary source has been found connecting the phrase as something that Lee used" and additionally found no evidence in Washington & Lee University records "that Lee ever closed an address to the students with the phrase".[14] However, a report by UT Austin history professor Alberto Martinez states that President William Prather's use of the phrase was inspired by a line spoken by confederate general Maxcy Gregg about Robert E Lee. While no primary source "has been found connecting the phrase as something that Lee used", four independent secondary accounts, by both of William Prather's children, T.U. Taylor (who recounted the story multiple times in the decades before his 1938 memoir), and Jim Cannon have all stated that Prather's inspiration for the phrase was General Robert E. Lee.[15] The phrase "The Eyes of Texas" was in use well before the Civil War with regard to Texas itself. In a column entitled "A Campfire Story" in the Highland Messenger of May 26, 1843, a report on early military discipline in Texas shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, a colonel is said to have addressed his troops, saying "The eyes of Texas, the eyes of her bravest officers, my eyes are upon you."

In June 2020, several players on the University of Texas at Austin football team requested that the university replace the song with one "without racist undertones".[12][16] In response to the players' request, African-American former University of Texas football players Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams spoke out to keep the song in place as UT's alma mater.[17]

Campbell's comments on "The Eyes of Texas" are as follows:

"I'm proud of that song", ~ "I think there's a lot of things that can be done other than that song in my opinion. I just believe 'The Eyes of Texas' stands for something."[17]

Williams was also quoted as saying:

"I think it's important to understand our history and to understand where the song came from, but I think it's more powerful to transform the meaning of the song and the definition of the song rather than trying to erase our history like it never existed"[17]

Following those requests, interim UT president Jay Hartzell announced that the song would remain as the alma mater but that the university would work to "reclaim and redefine" the song by openly acknowledging its history.[18][19][20]

In October 2020, the University of Texas band was unable to perform the song at football games, due to a lack of members willing to play it. The athletic department stated that it would play a recorded version of the song prior to sports events.[21]

A March 2021 investigative report by The Texas Tribune published snippets of alumni and donor emails to president Hartzell. In these emails, the alumni and donors demanded that Hartzell take a stronger stance supporting "The Eyes of Texas" and threatened to cancel their financial contributions.[22] In a statement, Hartzell apologized for the "abhorrent and hateful" emails from some of the alumni.[23] The March 2021 report titled "The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report" confirmed the song's minstrel show "debuted in a racist setting, exceedingly common for the time",[24] but found no racist intent.[14][25]

The university announced in April 2021 that by 2022 there would be a new separate band for students who didn't want to play "The Eyes of Texas". However, this announcement was met with pushback, as opponents argued that forcing students into a different band was an attempt to create a "separate but equal" alternative that violated constitutional equal protection standards.[26]

On September 3, 2021, the Texas chapter of the NAACP filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against the University of Texas for its continued use of the school song. The federal civil rights complaint alleged that "Black students, athletes, band members, faculty and alumni [were] being subjected to violations of the Civil Rights Act and a hostile campus environment over the 'offensive', 'disrespectful' and 'aggressive' use of the song".[26][27]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Interview of Carl T. Widen, last surviving member of original UT Longhorn Band and Glee Club, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv108rGL480
  2. ^ "Funeral of General R. E. Lee".
  3. ^ "William Lambdin Prather | University of Texas System". March 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Holley, Joe (July 15, 2007). "Lady Bird Johnson is remembered". Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Funeral - The Eyes of Texas". Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  6. ^ Calderon, Damiane (January 31, 1985). "Robbins Hit to Replace Fight Song". Prospector.
  7. ^ "UTEP Spirit". Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "A Camp-fire Story". Highland Messenger. May 26, 1843. pp. Vol. III, No. 44, p. 1.
  9. ^ "Texas Longhorns Athletics - Traditions: 'The Eyes of Texas'". www.texassports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "As primeiras palavras na inauguração da Rádio Bandeirantes de São Paulo". EBC Rádios (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 30, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  11. ^ a b McElroy, Kathleen (July 21, 2020). "Opinion: Gazing right back at 'The Eyes of Texas' and its origins". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Cramer, Maria; Diaz, Johnny (June 13, 2020). "Texas Football Players Call on University to Drop a Song Steeped in Racist History". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Maas, Jimmy (March 10, 2021). "Committee Deems 'Eyes Of Texas' Not 'Overtly Racist'". All Things Considered, NPR. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  14. ^ a b The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report (PDF) (Report). The University of Texas. March 9, 2021.
  15. ^ True Origin of 'The Eyes of Texas' (Report). Medium. March 24, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  16. ^ "✊🏾"What starts here changes the world" #WeAreOne". Twitter.
  17. ^ a b c Young, Matt (September 9, 2020). "Earl Campbell still supports his school's 'Eyes of Texas' song". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  18. ^ Kercheval, Ben (July 13, 2020). "Texas will keep 'Eyes of Texas' as alma mater, rename field after former Heisman Trophy winners". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  19. ^ Oxner, Reese (July 13, 2020). "UT will keep 'Eyes of Texas,' but will rename buildings as Black students call for change". CBS Austin. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  20. ^ Cramer, Maria (July 14, 2020). "University of Texas Won't Drop Song With Racist History as Players Requested". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  21. ^ Heyward, Giulia; Gast, Phil (October 22, 2020). "University of Texas band won't play its alma mater because it was once performed at minstrel shows". CNN.
  22. ^ McGee, Kate (March 1, 2021). "'UT needs rich donors': Emails show wealthy alumni supporting 'Eyes of Texas' threatened to pull donations". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  23. ^ Whitford, Emma (March 4, 2021). "UT Austin President 'Categorically' Rejects Hateful Emails". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. ^ The Eyes of Texas History Committee Report (PDF) (Report). The University of Texas. March 9, 2021. p. 3.
  25. ^ Johnson, Lauren M. (March 10, 2021). "A University of Texas report confirms its alma mater's complicated history but finds 'no racist intent'". CNN. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Jim Vertuno (September 8, 2021). "Texas NAACP files federal complaint over "The Eyes of Texas"". AP News.
  27. ^ "Texas NAACP, Student Group Files Federal Complaint Over 'The Eyes of Texas' Song". Sports Illustrated. September 8, 2021.
  1. ^ "It's a Century Later, and the Eyes of Texas are Still Upon You" Support UT news story from March 2003 concerning the centennial of The Eyes of Texas
  2. ^ Film review of "Giant" - Accessed 20 March 2006
  3. ^ The Alamo – Accessed 20 March 2006
  4. ^ "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon Excellence Award Winners"
  5. ^ P.D.Q. Bach. "VI. Chorus and Finale". Oedipus Tex and Other Choral Calamities. CD. Telarc CD-80239, 1990.
[edit]