We’re heading to Texas for this one to sing about The Yellow Rose of Texas specifically. It’s a tune you might know. It was made popular in 1955 by Mitch Miller, and became a hit on his television sing-a-long show. The roots of the lyrics can be traced back to 1936 to the University of Texas archives, and it is considered the unofficial state song of Texas.
I created a piece and did not like it. So I found a leftover piece of katazome paper – a Japanese dying technique – that I made for one of my classes. I utilized a stencil for the roses, then with ink and crayon made the flowers and stems. I used a very small ink pen to write out the lyrics in the rose petals. I glued the paper over the work I did not like…
I remember singing this one in a bicentennial celebration when I was in grade school. We learned to square dance to it, which meant I had to hold hands with a boy – yikes! I enjoyed the square dancing, not sure I liked all the boys in our ‘square’. I do remember that one of my teachers was from Texas, so she was VERY enthusiastic when this song played.
There’s a yellow rose in Texas that I am gonna see
– Folk & Minstrel Song
Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as 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.
She’s the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds,
they sparkle like the dew
You may talk about your Clementine
and sing of Rosa Lee
But the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me.
How sweet are these lyrics? This special Rose is missed by someone and all he can think about is getting back to her. So much so that he writes a song. I picture him riding a horse and strumming his guitar while he thinks and sings about his Yellow Rose from Texas. It must be all those Hollywood movies, romances and pining for a loved one that make this tune so cherished.
Let me encourage you today to share with the ones you love how much they mean to you. Life happens, miles get stretched and relationships endure, yet nothing matters more in life than the people who we protect and love in our hearts. Never take loving someone for granted. Be it a friend, a spouse, a family member or a budding romance. Love is what makes all the craziness of life worth the effort. And not having told people we love them can haunt our days and torment our souls. So tell someone you love them, and know that you are blessed to be able to love and be loved in return.
