It’s common Texas knowledge that the bluebonnet is the official Texas state flower, but did you know there’s an official Texas state flower song? Yes, the song “Bluebonnets” was adopted as the official Texas state flower song in 1933, decades after the beautiful wildflower was adopted as the Texas state flower in 1901.
History
Did You Know Texas has an Official Bluebonnet Song?
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Photo Credit: Jason Weingart
In Chappell Hill, Julia D. Booth and Lora C. Crockett wrote “Bluebonnets.” Booth wrote the lyrics, while Crockett composed the music. Feeling inspired, these two talented women from Chappell Hill set out with singer Alice C. Routt to the state capitol to present their new song.
On February 8, 1933, State Representative Fuchs introduced House Concurrent Resolution No. 24. The resolution proposed that “Bluebonnets” be named the official Texas state flower song. After the 43rd Legislature passed the resolution, the Texas lawmakers sat back and listened to the lovely sound of Alice Routt singing the song. The famous wildflower was now cemented into Texas lore.
Photo Credit: Jason Weingart
Over the next few decades, the Texas State Legislature was urged to add two newly discovered species of bluebonnets as official state flowers. In 1971, lawmakers came to a politically correct compromise when they chose to lump the species together into a single state flower, along with “any other variety of bluebonnet not heretofore recorded.”
Photo Credit: Jason Weingart
“Bluebonnets,” by Julia D. Booth and Lora C. Crockett:
When the pastures are green in the springtime
And the birds are singing their sonnets,
You may look to the hills and the valleys
And they’re covered with lovely Bluebonnets.
Blue is the emblem of loyalty,
They’re as blue as the deep, deep sea,
Their smiling faces bring gladness,
For they bloom for you and for me.
Bluebonnets, so gorgeous and stately,
In your mantle of blue and of green,
In the spring when you’re in your full glory,
You’re the loveliest sight ever seen.
You’re beautiful when you sway in the sunshine,
You look like waves of the sea,
Ah, Texas was wise in her choice of a flower,
So we offer our homage to thee.
(Chorus)
Bluebonnets, blue lovely Bluebonnets,
More beautiful than all the rest.
Texas chose you for her flower,
And we love you best, Bluebonnets.
