The Houston municipal song

The city's official song made its debut on July 4, 1915, at the old City Auditorium. A few months later, on Sept. 8, 1915, Houston City Council passed a resolution officially adopting it as the city's municipal song.

Written by Oliver Allstorm, a committee of three people -- including Mayor Ben Campbell -- picked the song "after considering numerous songs, submitted to them."

Campbell (at left) said he hoped the time would come when he "would not be able to walk down the street without hearing at least a dozen Houstonians humming the chorus."

But, like an old school song, the tune has faded from memory. Until now.

Houston Municipal Song
By Oliver Allstorm
Music by Henri Therrien
(To the tune of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary")

Here in dear old Houston, we will sing our song today,
We'll wave our City's banner, it reaches to the bay!
Singing on the Lone Star's glory, what land is more free?
There is no place like Houston, and old Houston is for me!

CHORUS
It's the one place, and it's the dearest
The City I love best!
It's the one place, and it's the dearest
The queen of the mighty West!
So, then give me Houston!
'Tis her I would be,
In the best place of all creation,
My Houston for me.

Our fathers came for freedom, from ev'ry foreign shore,
They found it in New England, but they still wanted more,
Moving westward then to Texas, to Houston so grand,
'Twas here they settled ever in the fertile wonder-land!

(CHORUS)

'Twas here in dear old Texas, down at the Alamo;
Brave Travis, gentle Bowie, and Crockett struck the blow,
Dying nobly for our freedom, for liberty so dear,
They gave us all our glory, and we'll live forever here!

(CHORUS)

Now in dear old Houston, we will forever be,
Our men are mighty builders, our ships sail out to sea,
Building for a greater future, our flag is unfurled --
We're calling to the nation, and inviting all the world!

(CHORUS)