The story of the famous Siege and Battle of the Alamo hasbeen told in prose, poetry, art, film, and staged productions for over 170 years.
And it has been told in song.
For thirteen days in 1836, a small band of Texian and Tejano defenders, including Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, and Jim Bowie, stood their ground inside the Alamo against an overwhelming Mexican force commanded by Gen. Antonio
López de Santa Anna.
It was inevitable that such an heroic stand would find its way into song and it was not long before poets, minstrels, troubadours and show people created musical works of every kind
that were inspired by the Alamo. From 19th century folk ballads, minstrel show tunes and orchestral marches to more recent pop chart hits, children’s songs, theatrical productions,
classical suites, and big-screen film scores, every generation has heard melodies that helped them “Remember the Alamo!”
This book traces the many and varied musical interpretations of the Alamo and its heroes and illuminates various periods of American musical history. Musically, the Alamo has been cast in patriotic songs, comic ditties, romantic tunes, satirical works and classical compositions. Frequently, the music of the Alamo has said more about the contemporary times of the writers and musicians than Texas’ thirteen days of glory in 1836.
