The Yellow Rose of Texas

A classic and popular Old-Time Tune with words.  Yellow Rose of Texas was originally publish in 1858 by Firth, Pond, & Co. 

My version of the Yellow Rose of Texas is amalgamation of different versions I’ve listen to over time.  When playing Yellow Rose of Texas with an OT string band, I’ll play the same music as both lead/melody and a backup to the singer.  Playing lead/melody behind the singer gives the tune a true Old-Time feel.

Lot’s of great OTM recordings exist of Yellow Rose of Texas.  Take a look at these recordings.

-Da Costa Waltz’s Southern Broadcaster - Time Ain’t Like they Used To Be, Volume 8, Yazoo Records 2068

-Kirk Sutphin - Masters of the Banjo, Arhoolie 421

-The Mountain Park Old Time Band, Fire On The Dance Floor, self-released

-The New Lost City Ramblers, String Band Instrumentals, Custom CD from Smithsonian-Folkways

-Tommy Jarrell & Fred Cockerham, Tommy & Fred, County CD-2702

Lyrics for Yellow Rose of Texas (with the PC version of the lyrics)

There's a yellow rose in Texas that I am going to see,

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

(Chorus)

Sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,

Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew,

You may talk about your Dearest May, and sing of Rosa Lee,

But the yellow rose of Texas beats the belles of Tennessee.

Where the Rio Grande is flowing, and the starry skies are bright,

She walks along the river in the quiet summer night;

She thinks if I remember, when we parted long ago,

I promis'd to come back again, and not to leave her so

(Chorus)

Oh! now I'm going to find her, for my heart is full of woe,

And we'll sing the song together, that we sung 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.

(Chorus)

Download a pdf of The Yellow Rose of Texas -> Click TheYellowRoseOfTexas.pdf.