(When I was a boy I loved watching the old TV westerns and hearing and singing their songs—-Wyatt Earp, Paladin, Cheyenne, Death Valley Days, and others. About three years ago I decided to write one of my own. I can’t give you the music, but here are the words.)

I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am, I am;
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am.
I’m gonna write, I’m gonna sing,
I’m gonna do my little thing,
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am.

Little thing so small gonna stand up real tall
An’ shine like a star on the land;
Little thing so thin gonna spread like the wind
Till everyone’s shakin’ my hand.

Gonna write about people who wake up an’ say,
While dawn is acallin’ their youth,
“As the boss of my fate I’m gonna open that gate
An’ head up the trail of truth.”

In the wide open spaces where dreams do run wild
I will lasso that fabulous steed;
Give it slack, let it play, but direct it my way
An’ brand it the DO or DIE deed.”

If you work day an’ night for the thing that you love,
Never lettin’ desires go stray,
If you keep on the track an’ you never turn back
You’ll be hearin’ my song in you say—

Round up, round up, round up all your winnin’s,
The herd of your destiny’s here;
You can pick up your honey an’ pocket all your money
An’ buy a Tex-planet up there.

I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am, I am;
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am.
I’m gonna write, I’m gonna sing,
I’m gonna do my little thing;
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am.

Little thing so weak it’s like a giant eagle’s beak,
A-screechin’ aloud “Victory!”
Little thing so dim it’s like a lightnin’ storm hymn
Proclaimin’ that Texas is me!

Gonna write about children, an’ women an’ men,
Who have a Tex-handle on life;
No shadows can spook ’em, no terrors stampede ’em,
Their grinnin’ an’ laughin’ at strife.

There’s rough ways an’ hard ways an’ long ways to go,
An’ you’re covered with sweat an’ with dust;
You’re tired an’ you’re thin, but you know you’re gonna win,
‘Cause the lone star in you is Self-Trust.

There’s a Texas inside me, in each one of you,
A ten gallon soul that o’erflows;
Though the world’s upsidedown we keep wearin’ that crown
A-stuck with a big yellow rose.

If you work day an’ night for the thing that you love,
Never lettin’ desires go stray,
If you keep on the track an’ you never turn back,
You’ll be hearin’ my song in you say,

Round up, round up, round up all you’re winnin’s,
The herd of your destiny’s here;
You can pick up your honey an’ pocket all your money
An’ buy a Tex-planet up there.

I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am, I am;
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I am.
I’m gonna write, I’m gonna sing,
I’m gonna do my little thing,
I’m agoin’ to Texas, I AM!