My Heart's Tonight in Texas

In the Lone Star state of Texas by the silv'ry Rio Grande
Strolled a couple one fine evening, two sweethearts hand in hand
"Twas the ranchman's pretty daughter and the lad she loved so dear
On the morrow they must part for many a weary year

To Europe she was going to become a lady grand
Where her father hoped some Earl or else Count she'd wed
She left the ranch next morning, though her heart was true to Jack
Only yesterday a letter came and this is what it said

My heart's tonight in Texas, though I'm far across the sea
For the band is playing Dixie and it's where I long to be
Dad says some Earl I'll marry, but you shall have my hand
For my heart's tonight in Texas by the silv'ry Rio Grande

In a stately hall in England stood the Texas girl one night
The scene was one of splendor and the lights were burning bright
Before her knelt an Earl humbly begging for her hand
But her thoughts were back in Texas by the silv'ry Rio Grande

"I can't say yes," she answered, "Your title cannot take
There's a lad away in Texas, they call him Texas Jake
It is long ago I promised that Texas lad to wed
Only yesterday I wrote and it is thus the letter said."

"My heart's tonight in Texas, though I'm far across the sea
For the band is playing Dixie and it's where I long to be
Dad says some Earl I'll marry, but you shall have my hand
For my heart's tonight in Texas by the silv'ry Rio Grande"

DT #841
Laws B23
From Carmer, Songs of the Rivers of America
SOF
apr97