The Eyes Of Texas

I spent five years of my career in Texas. It was a great experience. Texas is a state of mind. True Texans love their state. They also love their alma maters.

That’s why I am watching closely a controversy at the University of Texas where the football team has delivered an ultimatum. Get rid of one of the great traditions in UT….the playing of “The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You.” It is played before and after every athletic event and the athletes are expected to sing the words.

But the football players believe it is racist.

Written in 1903, the song is set to the tune of “I’ve been working on the railroad.” Its opponents say it was first performed in minstrel shows, with singers in blackface. That’s it. Because the words don’t seem racial.

“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 athletes want the song…the tradition discontinued. They also demand the renaming of several UT campus buildings and the downing of statues on campus.

Here’s what I think. I doubt anyone, standing at the football stadium in Austin, is thinking any racist thoughts after they have beaten a rival and the band strikes up “The Eyes of Texas.”

We treasure our time as Texans, mostly because of the people who were from all races. 

I doubt they will embrace this ultimatum.