Choosin' Texas

by Ella Langley

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Lyrics

Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Ten nes (C)see,

I should ’ve known (Dm7)bet ter than to take him back to Ab i (C)lene.

I put him right back in to her arms.

I was n’t a match for (Gsus)that kind of spark: she’s from Tex as.

I can (Fmaj9)tell by the way he’s two step pin’ ’round the (C)room.

And judg ing by the smile that’s (Dm7)writ ten on his face, there’s noth in’ I can (G)do.

It (G)does n’t take a (Fmaj9)crys tal ball to see.

A cow boy al ways (Am7)finds a way to leave.

Drink in’ Jack all by my (Fmaj7)self.

He’s choos in’ Tex as, I can (C)tell.

Well, I guess he for got a bout the Smok y Moun tain rain,

them old Hank tunes, the Mem phis blues we used to sing.

He al ways loved “Am a ril lo by Morn ing.” I should ’ve tak en that as a warn ing: she’s from Tex as.

I can He’s choos in’ Tex as, I can (C)tell.

When I’m east bound and down and I can’t help but cry, ’cause I For ty gets lone li er with (G)ev er y mile.

I’ll know that his mind was n’t (G)ev er gon na change, ’cause his (Dm7)heart still be longs to the (G)Lone Star State.

She’s from Tex as.

I can (Fmaj9)tell by the way he’s two step pin’ ’round the (C)room.

And judg ing by the smile that’s (Dm7)writ ten on his face, there’s noth in’ I can (G)do,

naw.

Yeah, it does n’t take a (Fmaj9)crys tal ball to see.

A cow boy al ways (Am7)finds a way to leave.

Drink in’ Jack all by my (Fmaj7)self.

He’s choos in’ Tex as, I can (Am7)tell,

no, oh.

Drink in’ Jack all by my self.

He’s choos in’ Tex as, I can (C)tell.

Oh, oh, yeah!

Just when I thought I got him to fall in love with Ten nes see.

Choosin' Texas by Ella Langley — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Choosin' Texas by Ella Langley in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 112 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build your country rhythm chops in the key of C, where the chord shapes sit naturally under your fingers but the steady 112 BPM groove demands real control. Your right hand will carry the melody with a mix of quarter and eighth notes, and you'll want to watch for subtle syncopation in the vocal phrasing — resist the urge to rush those pickup notes heading into each chorus. Your left hand keeps a steady root-fifth pattern that drives the feel, so practice that independently until it's automatic. The trickiest spots tend to be transitions where the chord changes land just ahead of the downbeat; slow those bars to half tempo and loop them until the timing clicks. Use light sustain pedal, lifting cleanly on each chord change to keep things from getting muddy. Once this one feels comfortable, you'll notice your sense of rhythmic independence between hands has leveled up considerably — that's a skill that pays off in everything you play next.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Choosin' Texas" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Choosin' Texas"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.