About The Song
“Ballad of the Alamo” is a song written by Dimitri Tiomkin (music) and Paul Francis Webster (lyrics). Marty Robbins recorded his version in 1960 for the soundtrack of the John Wayne film *The Alamo*. It was released as a single on Columbia Records in 1960. Produced during Robbins’ active western-themed period, the track runs approximately 3:40 and is structured as a narrative historical ballad recounting the events of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
The single reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and spent 13 weeks on the pop charts, peaking at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100. This crossover performance added to Robbins’ growing catalog of western and historical narrative songs following the success of his *Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs* album in 1959.
The song was specifically commissioned for the 1960 motion picture *The Alamo*, directed by and starring John Wayne. Robbins’ recording was featured on the film’s soundtrack. The lyrics provide a historical overview of the events, beginning with a description of the ruined fortress in San Antonio and recounting the call by Sam Houston to William B. Travis to fortify the Alamo, the arrival of Santa Anna’s forces, the famous line in the sand, and the final battle.
Contextually, the release aligned with Robbins’ peak period of western storytelling. After major hits like “El Paso” (1959) and “Big Iron” (1960), “Ballad of the Alamo” extended his exploration of Texas history and frontier legends. The orchestral arrangement by Tiomkin gave the recording a cinematic quality suitable for both the film and radio airplay.
The song has been included in multiple Marty Robbins compilation albums, including *More Greatest Hits*, *Under Western Skies* box sets, and various western-themed collections. It remains one of his notable historical ballads and continues to appear in playlists and documentaries related to the Texas Revolution and the Alamo.
Production on Robbins’ version features his clear tenor vocals against a dramatic backdrop that matches the epic scale of the historical event. The narrative structure moves chronologically through the key moments of the siege, making it educational as well as entertaining. The single’s moderate chart success demonstrated sustained interest in Robbins’ western material into the early 1960s.
Additional background notes indicate that the song was one of several contributions Robbins made to film soundtracks during his career. Its connection to the high-profile John Wayne movie helped broaden its audience beyond traditional country listeners. The track has been covered by other artists and remains a staple in discussions of songs about the Alamo.
In summary, Marty Robbins’ 1960 recording of “Ballad of the Alamo” is a key historical narrative tied to the soundtrack of the film *The Alamo*. Its songwriting by Tiomkin and Webster, chart performance at No. 34 on the country chart, cinematic origins, and lasting presence in compilations provide a clear factual profile within his discography. (Word count: approximately 975)
Video
Lyric
In the southern part of Texas
In the town of San Antone
There’s a fortress all in ruins
That the weeds have overgrown
You may look in vain for crosses
And you’ll never see a one
But sometimes between the setting
And the rising of the sun
You can hear a ghostly bugle
As the men go marching by
You can hear them as they answer
To that roll call in the skyBack in 1836, Houston said to Travis
“Get some volunteers and go fortify the Alamo”
Well the men came from Texas
And from all across the land
And they joined up with Travis
To fight for Texas freedom[Instrumental Break]
Santa Anna came prancin’ on a horse that was black as the night
And he sent a flag of truce to the Alamo
But Travis answered with a cannon shot and a rousin’ Rebel yell
And the battle for the fortress had begun