William J. Marsh, who composed the beloved “Texas, Our Texas,” left an indelible mark on the state’s and Fort Worth’s cultural heritage.
Texas, our Texas! All hail the mighty State!
Texas, our Texas! So wonderful so great!
These iconic opening lines from the official Texas state song have a special, and perhaps lesser-known, connection to TCU’s School of Music.
Thanks to a remarkable discovery by TCU Police Officer George Steen, we are reminded of the legacy of William J. Marsh—a former choral director and professor of organ, composition and theory at the School of Music from the 1930s to 1940s. Marsh, who composed the beloved “Texas, Our Texas,” left an indelible mark on the state’s and Fort Worth’s cultural heritage.
“I felt so amazed and proud to work for such an incredible place with a rich history of expression, caring and contributing to both TCU and the community,” said Steen upon seeing the historical marker for William J. Marsh. “I feel equally proud that the same spirit lives on in our students, faculty and staff.
“I love hearing stories like this and knowing that this history is right here at TCU,” said Steen. “We are so fortunate to have—and to have had—faculty who teach, inspire and make our community a better place.”
Shaping Fort Worth’s Musical Landscape
Born in 1880 in Liverpool, England, William J. Marsh began his musical journey at a young age. He studied at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire and later followed in his mother’s footsteps, serving as the organist at St. Mary’s Church in his hometown.
Marsh moved to Fort Worth in 1904 to work for his family’s cotton business. A few years later, he became the organist and music director at several prominent churches and synagogues across the city, including First Presbyterian Church, Temple Beth-El and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
In 1934, Marsh joined the TCU School of Music, where he would go on to shape the lives of many students. A notable highlight of his tenure came in 1939, when he led the men’s glee club on a tour to New York City, including a performance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.
William J. Marsh with the Men’s Glee Club in 1936. Courtesy of the TCU Photo Collection.
Marsh later served as president of the Fort Worth Music Teachers Association and the music critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Beyond his teaching, Marsh was extensively involved in the broader music community, holding honorary memberships in the Texas Federation of Music Clubs, the Texas Music Teachers Association and the American Guild of Organists.
Enduring Legacy in Music
An accomplished composer of more than 100 musical works, Marsh’s legacy was solidified with the composition of “Texas, Our Texas.” In 1924, Governor Pat Neff’s search for a state song led Marsh to compose the music, with lyrics by Gladys Yoakum Wright.
Their song was chosen from over 400 entries, but due to a change in administration, it wasn’t until a second contest with over 1,000 submissions that it won. On May 13, 1929, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring it the official state song.
William J. Marsh. Photo credit: The Portal to Texas History
Composing music until his death, Marsh’s last published work, “An Ecumenical Service,” was performed in 1969 at an American Guild of Organists convention.
“We here at the TCU School of Music have been fortunate during our unit’s strong history to employ many distinguished faculty, chief amongst them is William J. Marsh,” said Director Marc Reed. “It seems fitting that one of Marsh’s most well-known contributions is the official state song of Texas, as TCU has played such an important role in shaping our state’s musical heritage.”
“We hope the next time you hear this song, you’ll remember it was a great Horned Frog who composed it.”
A special thank you to Kevin Foster for his research assistance on William J. Marsh. Foster, a retired sergeant of both the Fort Worth Police Department and the Texas Christian University Police Department, is an accomplished author and researcher specializing in Fort Worth policing history.