Happy Texas Independence Day!
187 years ago today, a group of Texicans (as they called themselves back then) declared independence from Mexico to establish the Republic of Texas. Of course, it wasn’t that easy, and it took a revolution and much bloodshed at the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto to fully win Texas independence.
Growing up as a native Texan, I gloried in our stories and history and have shared many of them here, from tales of the Texas Revolution to seemingly tall tales to trivia tidbits. I have been living in Colorado these last 6 years, but I still celebrate my Texas roots.
As I told you before, there is no such thing as an EX-Texan.
To celebrate Texas Independence Day, here are a few tunes about Texas by Texans.
“Lone Star State of Mind” — Nanci Griffith
This title track from Nanci’s 1987 album shares the melancholy of a Texan far from home.
“But here I sit alone in Denver,
Sippin’ California wine.
And I’ve got all night to remember you —
I’m in a Lone Star state of mind.”
“That’s Right, You’re Not from Texas” — Lyle Lovett
My Daddy used to say that you should never ask a person if they’re from Texas. If they are, they’ll tell you. If not, it’s rude to embarrass them. Lyle would agree and welcome all y’all to Texas.
“That’s right, you’re not from Texas,
That’s right, you’re not from Texas,
That’s right, you’re not from Texas —
But Texas wants you anyway.”
“Then the Lone Star Will Stop Shining” — Will T. Massey
Will wrote this as a youngster from San Angelo breaking into the singer-songwriter hotbed of Austin. He stopped performing it years ago, but it still rings true.
“When bluebonnets don’t bloom
And the mockingbird don’t sing,
When Willie Nelson forgets how to strum his six-string.
When the men don’t tip their hats
And the ladies stop smiling…
Well, then the Lone Star will stop shining.”
“Miles and Miles of Texas” — Asleep at the Wheel
“Miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles” is one way to describe the immense distances involved in traveling Texas. Ray Benson’s Asleep at the Wheel drives this one all the way home.
“I saw miles and miles of Texas,
All the stars up in the sky.
I saw miles and miles of Texas —
Gonna live here till I die.”
“Stupid Texas Song” — Austin Lounge Lizards
But seriously, folks! There are tons of truly terrific songs touting Texas — like this one. Well, okay. None of the others is quite like this one. After all, It IS the Austin Lounge Lizards!
“One more stupid song about Texas —
You’v heard it all before, so sing along!”
Y’all sing!
Buller's back porch 