A St. Patrick's Day Tribute to the Irish in Texas History

A St. Patrick's Day Tribute to the Irish in Texas History

Sometimes it's hard to find words for a post.  All I really wanted to say was, Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone! and add a little story, maybe about the Irish in Texas instead of the traditional story about St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.  Here is a short one.

During Texas' fight for independence from Mexico, an uncle of mine from a few generations back, Epperson Duke Payne, (who wasn't Irish, his Payne grgrgrandfather, born 1696 in London, England, emigrated to Frederick County MD in the early 1720's) served at both The Seige of Bexar and The Battle of San Jacinto. I remember reading that a then popular love song, based on an older English tune, "Will You Come With Me To The Bower" was played during the advance at The Battle of San Jacinto. 

The only musicians in General Sam Houston's group of men were Daniel Davis and his son George. Houston's plan was to deceive the Mexicans into thinking his ragtag army was participating in a drill rather than an attack and so instead of planning a military march, he ordered the "Davis boys" to play the crude love song, a waltz, at an awkward march tempo.  During the ensuing battle the fiddlers stayed behind as they were told, playing over and over the same simple song they knew so well. 

There were 100 Irish born soldiers out of the 910 Texas soldiers at The Battle of San Jacinto and the battle was fought on the land of Peggy McCormick, who had emigrated to Texas from Ireland with her husband.  In case you aren't familiar with Texas history, the Texans were the victors!

I hope you enjoyed my abbreviated story about the Irish in Texas!

Update: Cynthia Larsen found this version of "Will You Come to the Bower" on Youtube. Thank you, Cynthia. The tune was the same but the actual words to the Texas song went something like this:

Will you come to the bower I have shaded for you?
Your bed shall be of roses, bespangled with dew.
Will you, will you, will you come to the bower?
Will you, will you, will you come to the bower?

There under the bower on soft roses you’ll lie,
With a blush on your cheek but a smile in your eye.
Will you, will you, will you smile my beloved?
Will you, will you, will you smile my beloved?