Artist: Cartwright Brothers
Author: traditional
Label: Victor
Year: 1929
Were the first to use the melody that inspired all versions mentioned below. Three earlier Texas Rangers (Ernest V. Stoneman's for OKeh in '26, Lester McFarland & Robert A. Gardner's for Vocalion in '27 and Harry McClintock's for Victor in '28) were set to a different melody.
Covers:
Aunt Molly Jackson [Alan Lomax-recording for the L.o.C., after hearing her sister Sarah Ogan Gunning sing a mine workers version of Texas Ranger as Come All You Coal Miners two years earlier (see there)]
Paul Clayton [as Texas Rangers]
New Lost City Ramblers [idem]
Ian & Sylvia [idem]
Almeda Riddle [as Come All You Texas Rangers]
Jerry Douglas & Peter Rowan [as Texas Rangers]
Katy Moffatt [idem]
Texas Rangers acted as an organisation to protect settlers from indians while conquering the west, later they dealt with outlaws within the ranks as some local FBI. During television's pioneer years the series Texas Rangers ranked in popularity well between Lassie and Bonanza.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)