Cat. #0040 (MFH #622) - As sung by Virgil Lance, Mountain Home, Arkansas on February 18, 1958
VERSE 1
Come all you Texas Rangers
Wherever you may be
An' I'll tell you of some trouble
That happened unto me
VERSE 2
My name is nothin' extry
So that I will not tell
Come all you jolly Rangers
I'm sure I wish you well
VERSE 3
T'was at th age of eighteen
I joined th jolly band
We marched from western Texas
Down to th Rio Grande
VERSE 4
We saw th smokes arising
It seemed to reach th sky
Th very first thought that struck me
Now is my time to die
VERSE 5
I thought of my old Mother
Who in tears to me did say,
To you they are all strangers
With me you'd better stay
VERSE 6
I thought her old and childish
An' that she did not know
An' my heart was with th Rangers
I was determin'd to go
VERSE 7
We saw those Indians comin'
We heard them raise their yell
My feelin's at that moment
No human tongue could tell
VERSE 8
We saw th glitterin' rifles
Th bullets 'round us hail
My heart did sink within me
My courage almost failed
VERSE 9
And as th bugle sounded
Our Captain gave command,
To arms, to arms, he shouted
N' by your horses stand
VERSE 10
We fought for five long hours
Before the strife gave o'er
Th like of dead and wounded
I never saw before
VERSE 11
Nine of th noblest Rangers
That ever rode the west
Were buried by their comrades
With bullets in their breast
Mr. Lance said he learned this song from his Father who had learned it from a friend who served with the Rangers in their early days.