Two songs are
traditionally sung at graduation commencement ceremonies. "The
Star-Spangled Banner" is sung at the opening of commencement.
"The Eyes of Texas" is sung at its conclusion.
"The Star-Spangled
Banner" by Frances Scott Key (1814)
The National Anthem of the
United States of America
Oh say, Can you see, by
the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
"The Eyes of Texas"
by John Lang Sinclair (1903)
The Alma Mater of the
University of Texas
The Eyes of Texas are upon
you*
All the live long day.
the Eyes of Texas are upon you
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them,
At night or early in the morn'.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you
'Till Gabriel blows his horn.
*"The eyes of Texas are
upon you" was a favorite saying of former University of Texas President
William Lambden "Colonel" Prather (1848-1905). Prather was known for
including the phrase in his speeches -- admonishing students that the state
of Texas was watching and expecting the students to go out and do great
things.
