UT alumni, students upset by donor threats to pull money if ‘Eyes of Texas’ goes away
Students have protested the alma mater song because of its racist background, but UT President Jay Hartzell has said that it will continue to be played at football games and events.
The University of Texas at Austin's alma mater — which is sung the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” — was first played in a minstrel show with performers in blackface and connected to a saying from Confederate Army Commander Robert E. Lee.(gregobagel / Getty Images)
Emails from alumni threatening to pull hefty donations unless the University of Texas keeps a controversial song tradition didn’t sit well with many other graduates, even those who have fond memories of the tune.