The Eyes of Texas

Hank Thompson

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Hank Thompson

Henry William Thompson (September 3, 1925 – November 6, 2007), known professionally as Hank Thompson, was an American country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades. more »

Year:: 1996
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Playlists:: #23

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I once did know a President, 
Away down South, in Texas. 
And, always, everywhere he went, 
He saw the eyes of Texas. 
The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 
All the live long day. 
The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 
You can not 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. 
Sing me a song of Prexy, 
Of days long since gone by. 
Again I seem to great him 
And hear his kind reply. 
Smiles of gracious welcome 
Before my memory rise, 
Again I hear him say to me, 
"Remember Texas' Eyes."

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Sheet Music PDF Playlist

Written by: HOOPER, TRADITIONAL

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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michaelm.05118
Okay, the song's not inherently racist. There are no overt references subjugation, slavery or racial superiority. However, the CONTEXT in which the song was sung seems to make it clear that this was a WARNING to Texans (especially those who might not be white, European-descended Christians) that Big Brother is Watching You. Sorta like all of those statues of Confederate Soldiers. They weren't put up to remind us of our incredibly shameful and disgusting mistakes - they went up to keep an eye on the slaves who were only freed by the Union to drive the Old South under. So y'all Texans that ain't white like me . . . y'all better mind yer P's and Q's, 'cuz we'll be watching. more »
LikeReply 12 years ago
- kenisaw_l
  The song is based on a poem from 1902 about, and is about the "eyes of Texas" watching the future to be brought about by the students at UT. It's a song about pride, not about slavery. I know it's hard, but try not to insert your modern take on things before your time. How you take the song is irrelevant, and your intellectual dishonesty is duly noted.... more »
  LikeReply 92 years ago
- michaelm.05118
  I may not have your knowledge regarding the song "Eyes of Texas". I have merely commented honestly about my perception. Your immediate resort to an ad hominem response would seem to support rather than disprover my assertion. Thank you very much for your honest if disingenuous response to my comment. more »
  LikeReply2 years ago
- kenisaw_l
  It's not an ad hominem if it's true. It's a 120 year old poem. You didn't have knowledge of the meaning of the original poem, didn't take the time to educate yourself before commenting, and therefore made statements that reflected your personal modern skew rather than the contents that the writer intended. You foisting your modern perception on something from another time is not unique unfortunately. That's how statues of Thomas Jefferson get torn down... more »
  LikeReply 62 years ago
- scottc.57972
  Do you find these race baiters as boring as I do ?
  LikeReply 12 years ago
judiths.16162
I had to look up the lyrics for 'The Eyes of Texas' although I attended UT at Austin many years ago. Although I didn't find anything racist about the song, I believe those are the dumbest lyrics I've ever heard. No wonder I didn't memorize the song. somebody had to get very drunk before they created those stupid and meaningless lyrics. more »
LikeReply 32 years ago
janf.82104
The present controversy is probably more of an effort to highlight Texas as a backward “unwoke” state. In other words Texas votes Republican more than Democrat and recently passed a strong prolife bill. As a famous person said, in derision, they just can’t forget their guns and their God. Good for them I say. I don’t care about guns but I do love my God. Vivacristorey more »
LikeReply 22 years ago
jd_m
Sing me a song of Prexy?
LikeReply 43 years ago
Doug103
I read the lyrics and listened to the song, it still does not sound racist to me.
LikeReply 563 years ago
- amon_p
  'The Eyes of Texas' was used in minstrel shows featuring characters in
  blackface dating back to the early 1900s, and the song additionally
  alludes to a phrasefrom Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
  LikeReply 43 years ago
- BillMe
  You clearly demonstrate your ignorance in your comment. The song was not about race as General Robt. E. Lee has never been attributed with the phrase 'The eyes of the South are upon you.' Minstrel shows used many many songs and had nothing to do with the penning of this song. It was purely a tribute to University President
  William Prather Who used the phrase often in his remarks to students. more »
  LikeReply 212 years ago
- Bob123789
  The use of the song by minstrels does not make the song any more racist than burning buildings and looting make the desire for equality unlawful.
  LikeReply 222 years ago
- allena.82403
  Texas president got the phrase from Robert e. Lee confederate General. The eye of the South is watching.
  LikeReply 12 years ago