Eyes of Texas

I have seen the discussion over the Eyes.  It got me to thinking which is always dangerous.  So I decided that revision and context was better than wiping the slate clean. 

Dear Daily Texans

 

Letter to the Editor

 

The Eyes of Texas commands us to reflect on the past

and Bevo commands us to look to the future of what Texas can be.

 

The Eyes should not be a source of division despite its troubled history.  

 

We can create new verses and envision  a new future

 

The song provides a framework to look forward

 

I graduated from the University of Texas 51 years ago and sang The Eyes many times.  I now understand the need for its revision and never knew its hateful history.

 

As a veteran I am very glad that the statues of the confederate traitors have been removed from the campus walk to the Tower. 

 

These verses are not definitive.  They are just ideas that came flooding into my head when I thought about updating the Eyes of Texas

 

The Eyes of Our New Texas

 

The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
All the livelong day.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them
At night or early in the morn --
The Eyes of Texas are upon you
Til Gabriel blows his horn.

 

The eyes of Texas are upon us

We've come a long long way

Texans  come from far and near

To study work and play

 

From the mountains to the valleys

There are myths of Texas history

We do not think we can escape them

So let's imagine what Texas  can be

 

We see what has been long forgotten

From  the back of the bus to the Alamo

to the bodies of the Comanches and prisoners picking cotton  

We  still have a long way to go.

 

As Texans we will be united

Together we walk this beautiful land

We reject those  who want to divide us

Our future for Texas is bright and grand

 

We cannot let the past oppress us

Two sides to the story of  the Alamo

We must be fairer kinder and more understanding    

We  still have a long way to go.

 

For  all Texans Texas is our home

We're Texans of a rainbow hue

So  throughout the state we wander

We know To Bevo we must be true