The Texas Rangers

1. Come, all ye roving rangers, 
Whoever you may be,
And listen to the troubles
That's happened unto me.
My name 'tis nothing extra,
But it I will not tell,
I am a roving ranger,
And I'm sure I wish you well.

2. It was at the age of sixteen
I joined a jolly band,
We marched from San Antonio
Unto the Rio Grande.
Our captain he informed us,
Perhaps he thought it right,
Before we reached the station,
“Boys, we will have to fight.”

3. I saw the black smoke rising,
I saw it bathe the sky,
The very first thought struck me,
“Now is my time to die.’
I saw the Indians coming,
I heard them give the yell,
I saw their glittering glances,
And the arrows round me fell.

4. But full nine hours we fought them
Before the strife was o'er,
The like of dead and wounded
I never saw before.
Six of the noblest rangers
That ever saw the West,
We buried by these comrades,
There ever for to rest.

5. I thought of my old mother,
In tears to me did say,
‘To you they are all strangers,
W:ith me you'd better stay.”
I thought she was old and childish,
And this she did not know,
My mind was bent on roving,
And I was bound to go.

6. Perhaps you have a mother,
Likewise a sister, too,
Perhaps you have a sweetheart,
To weep and mourn for you.
If this be your condition,
Although you love to roam,
I advise you by experience,
You had better stay at home.



I found the tune in Jerry Silverman’s Folk Song Encyclopedia, but the lyrics are from around 1869 as reported by Lomax in “Cowboy Songs”.  Tex Ritter and others sing other versions, with variations of the tune and lyrics.