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 would give to her his hand.
She left the ranch next morning, though to Jack she'd hoped to wed,
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 there 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, the lights were shining bright.
Before her knelt an Earl, begging her to take his hand,
But her thoughts were back in Texas, by the silv'ry Rio Grande.

"I can't say yes," she answered, "No title can I take,
There's a lad away in Texas, they call him Texas Jake,
It is long ago I promised that to him I would be wed,
Only yesterday I wrote, and it is thus the letter read."

My heart's tonight in Texas, though I'm far across the sea,
For the band is playing Dixie, and it's there 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.