The Eagle and the Snake
Mar. 29th, 2004 09:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaelieOn March 6, we went to San Antonio for the dawn memorial ceremony for the anniversary of its fall. It was an awesome experience.
During the week after that, Matt spent hours researching Texas folk songs. He discovered Brian Burns, who has a selection of Texas ballads, some written by himself, and others old traditional folk songs. Not only does he perform in normal musical venues all over the state, Brian Burns takes special time to perform in schools to help educate and excite children about their state's history.
He quotes Travis' letter as a part of that program.
"There is nothing that galvanizes the pride of a Texan so much as walking the sacred halls of the Church of The Mission San Antonio De Valero - The Alamo - drawing the musty breath of ancient Balcones limestone into one's nostrils, standing at a wall once gouged with grapeshot and stained by the blood of heroes, and reading Colonel Travis' immortal words..." - Brian Burns - vocals, Spanish guitar, synthesizer
Colonel William Barret Travis
Commandancy of the Alamo~
Bexar, Feb. 24th 1836~
To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world~
Fellow citizens and compatriots~
I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna~ I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man~ The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken~ I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls~ I shall never surrender or retreat. Then I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American Character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch~ The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his honor and that of his country~
Victory or Death
William Barret Travis
During the week after that, Matt spent hours researching Texas folk songs. He discovered Brian Burns, who has a selection of Texas ballads, some written by himself, and others old traditional folk songs. Not only does he perform in normal musical venues all over the state, Brian Burns takes special time to perform in schools to help educate and excite children about their state's history.
He quotes Travis' letter as a part of that program.
"There is nothing that galvanizes the pride of a Texan so much as walking the sacred halls of the Church of The Mission San Antonio De Valero - The Alamo - drawing the musty breath of ancient Balcones limestone into one's nostrils, standing at a wall once gouged with grapeshot and stained by the blood of heroes, and reading Colonel Travis' immortal words..." - Brian Burns - vocals, Spanish guitar, synthesizer
Colonel William Barret Travis
Commandancy of the Alamo~
Bexar, Feb. 24th 1836~
To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world~
Fellow citizens and compatriots~
I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna~ I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man~ The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken~ I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls~ I shall never surrender or retreat. Then I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American Character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch~ The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his honor and that of his country~
Victory or Death
William Barret Travis
