Yellow Rose of Texas - What or who is the inspiration?
The Yellow Rose of Texas is a legend in the state that was made into a song with the same name. Is it a flower? A play on words? A person?
Originally conceived as a folk song in early Colonial history, the Yellow Rose of Texas was handwritten on plain paper in 1836. Historical records indicate this copy was most probably transcribed either shortly before or just after General Sam Houston lead his brigade against the General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s army at the Battle San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
The lyrics to the Yellow Rose of Texas tell about a black American soldier who left his sweetheart and yearns to return to her side. The original transcription was poorly made and contained many spelling errors. This would indicate that the transcriber was somewhat uneducated but possibly influential, as it was signed with three embellished initials. This copy can now be found in the archives at UT in Austin.
Although no name is given as the song’s composer in any records, a hint may come from the fourth line in the chorus which infers the soldier is from Tennessee. Unfortunately, many men from Tennessee moved to or were brought to the state during its colonization and war for independence.
In 1858, the Yellow Rose of Texas was published in New York for the first time. Soon after it was published, the song increased in worldwide popularity and was sung by minstrels both in this country and Europe. As the American Civil War began, the Yellow Rose of Texas was adopted as a marching song by soldiers everywhere. Since it referred to and was to be sung by a black American soldier, the song’s lyrics were changed. By the early 1860’s, the term “darky” was replaced with “soldier,” and the first line in the chorus was changed as well. Finally, in 1864 with the war nearing an end, a fourth stanza was added to reflect the dismay and hopelessness that General John B. Hood’s retreating brigade felt after its disastrous Tennessee campaign. Some troops were so disoriented after the loss, they actually thought the war was over and started returning home, singing the Yellow Rose of Texas.
So, who was the Yellow Rose of Texas? The answer comes from historical records which tell us the song had a different original title that referred to a woman named Emily Morgan. Emily Morgan was a servant, somewhat forgotten in history for her heroism during the war for independence from Mexico. Some contend the legend is a myth and not a part of history. The historical evidence, however, indicates otherwise.
The heroic acts of Emily Morgan are commemorated by the Knights of the Yellow Rose of Texas each April 21 and it is widely believed that she is the Yellow Rose of Texas. Do some research online to find out the whole story and find out more about the song, legend, and the woman behind it.