German Texana

German Texana, which was published by Eakin Press in 1980, was written by Gilbert Jordan. Jordan, like J. Frank Dobie (and yours truly), graduated from Southwestern University, the oldest university in Texas. Jordan's book includes the folk songs, proverbs, and anecdotes of the German communities in the Texas Hill Country. The songs, proverbs, and such appear in the original German, though an English translation appears with each piece. The book is a gold mine for anyone interested in understanding life on the Texas frontier as seen through the eyes of European settlers. It is also good for those interested in the soon-to-be-extinct Texas variety of German. I scored my copy at Booked Up in Archer City, not far from the last picture show.