As a child in Texas, you learn this along with a few other state-related songs for grade school programs and talent shows. A shining piece of American folk tradition.




There's a yellow rose in Texas
I am going to see,
No other cowboy knows her,
No cowboy only me;
She cried so when I left her,
It like to break my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part.

She's the sweetest rose of color
This cowboy ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds,
They sparkle like the dew,
You may talk about your dearest May
And sing of Rosalie
But the yellow rose of Texas
Beats the girls of Tennessee.

Oh, now I'm going to find her,
For my hearts is full of woe,
And we'll sing the songs 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 for evermore.