REMEMBER THE ALAMO
Jane Bowers
(words as sung by Gaberlunzie)

                                    A hundred and eighty were challenged by Travis to die.
                                    By a line that he drew with his sword as the battle drew nigh.
                                    "The man who will fight to the death will cross over
                                    He that would live let him fly,"
                                    And over the line stepped a hundred and seventy-nine.

                                    Chorus :
                                    Way y y y Up Santy Anna we're killing your soldiers below,
                                    So the rest of Texas will know and remember the Alamo!

                                    Jim Bowie lay dyin' his powder was ready and dry.
                                    From flat on his back Bowie killed quite a few in reply,
                                    Young Davy Crockett was laughin' and singin'.
                                    The challenge was fierce in his eye.
                                    For Texas and freedom a man more than willin' to die.

                                    A messenger sent from the battle both bloody and loud.
                                    With words of farewell that he carried were bitter and proud.
                                    Remember little darlin' my dyin' tomorrow
                                    When Texas is sovereign and free.
                                    We'll never surrender and ever shall liberty be.

Footnote : My thanks to Gordon Menzies of Gaberlunzie for supplying the words for 'Remember The Alamo' which was a very popular song during the Scottish Folk Revival. It was one of the songs on the first ever LP recorded by Gaberlunzie 'Brave Words 'n' Fighting Talk' which has recently been re-released on CD. The Alamo fell on 6 March 1836 resulting in the death of most of the defenders including David Crockett and Jim Bowie, of Scots descent, and at least four native born Scots - Robert W Ballentine, John McGregor, Issac Robinson and David L Wilson. John McGregor was a piper and enjoyed musical duels in the Alamo with David Crockett. McGregor playing his bagpipes and Crockett the fiddle. The defenders of the Alamo all lived up to the hope penned by Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis at the outset of the siege on 24 February 1836 - "I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country - VICTORY OR DEATH."  As long as freedom is valued, men, such as the defenders of the Alamo, will be remembered. Visit www.thealamo.org for more background to their stand for freedom.