John Lang Sinclair ( -1947)

Clan
Sinclair

People

Modern
Sinclairs

   Major
   General
   Arthur
   St. Clair

Louisa
St. Clair
(1772-1840)

Arthur
   St. Clair
   Jr.
   1766-

Christine
   Sinclair
   executed
   1813

Catherine
   Sinclair
   of Ulbster
   1800-1864

George
Sinclair
1807-1862

John,
   Pony
   Express
   1860-1

Lord
   Harris
   Gov. Gen.
   Trinidad
   1845-1854

John, 17th
   Caithness
   lived N.D.
   d. 1920

Harry of
   Sinclair
   Oil
   1876-1956

Upton
Sinclair
1878-1968

Sir
   Archibald
   Henry
   MacDonald
   Sinclair
   1890-1970

Saint?
Margaret
1900-1925

   John
   Lang
   Sinclair
   -1947

WW II
Generals

Joseph
   Pierce
   Sinclair
   1910-1964

Gordon
Sinclair
1900-1984

Pete
Cummings
1929-1999

Ian Patrick
   (Kermit)
   St. Clare
   1959-2001

Laurel
Fechner
1937-2002

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John Lang Sinclair ( -1947)

``According to Dr. Margaret Berry's wonderful little book, UT Austin-Traditions and Nostalgia, John Lang Sinclair wrote " The Eyes of Texas" for a student theatrical [3] . The lyrics memorialized a frequent saying of the University's third president, William L. Prather, for whom Prather Hall is named. He always closed his remarks to the student body by saying, "Students of The University of Texas, the eyes of Texas are upon you. [4] "

The tune, although it will be highly embellished today by the Longhorn Ceremonial Brass, is "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad." Many a piano player in many a bar has been greatly astonished by a request to play this tune, only to find a number of patrons making an odd hand gesture and singing at the top of their lungs.''

—Teresa A. Sullivan

The Eyes of Texas

From: Andy Cottingham
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 06:06:45 -0500

John Lang Sinclair is buried in San Antonio. According to a newspaper article, dated 25 Apr,while a student at the University of Texas in Austin he wrote "The Eyes of Texas" lyrics, set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad," in 1903. "The eyes of Texas are upon you," which in turn was inspired by Robert E. Lee's reprimand, "The eyes of the south are upon you." The song was an instant success, later became the school song. Today it is still mistaken for the official state song of Texas. Sinclair died in 1947, is buried in the Alamo Masonic Cemetery. His wife has relatives in Texas and Ohio. Anyone claim this Sinclair as a relative? He grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Bexar County, Texas.

— Andy Cottingham(ian@texas.net)

Last changed: 00/04/28 09:59:01