Added to the musical “WATCH YOUR STEP,” 1916 post-broadway tour.
Words and Music by Irving Berlin.
Alternate title: “I’ve Gotta Go Back to Texas”.
Cover Art by Albert W. Barbelle.
Copyright ©17 Jan 1916.
Sheet Music Image from the collection of Michael Deatz.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Far away out west in Texas
By the Rio Grande
There’s a ranch of many acres
On the prairie land
And I want you to be knowing
That’s exactly where I’m going
In just a day or so
You’ll see a satchel in my hand
Chorus
I got-a go back, I got-a go back
I got-a go back to dear old Texas
To the ranch I left behind
And the girl who’s on my mind
I couldn’t remain, I’m taking a train
The Southern Pacific bound for Texas
I’m simply aching to skeedaddle
Upon a horse without a saddle
And ev’ry letter that I get from Texas
Is covered with a lot of Xes
I got-a go back, I got-a go back
To the girl I left behind
- Where the western sun is blazing
By the Rio Grande
I can see the cattle grazing
On the prairie land
And it fills me with a yearning
That I ought to be returning
If you were ever there
I’m pretty sure you’d understand
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: