"The eyes of the South are upon you" (Robert E. Lee?)

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When did Robert E. Lee say "the eyes of the South are upon you"?
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_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eyes_of_Texas_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eyes_of_Texas) 
    
"The Eyes of Texas" is the _alma mater_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_mater)  of the _University of  Texas at Austin_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas_at_Austin) . It is set to the tune of "_I've  Been Working 
on the Railroad_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Been_Working_on_the_Railroad) ." Students, faculty, and alumni of the  University sing the song at 
_Longhorn_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Longhorn_Athletics)  sports  games 
and other events.
 
History
The song was written in 1903 by John Sinclair. The lyrics were intended to  
poke fun at University President Colonel Prather. Prather had attended 
_Washington and  Lee College_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_and_Lee_College) , where _Robert E. Lee_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee)  would  
frequently tell his students "The eyes of the South are upon you." Prather 
was  known for including in his speeches a similar admonition, "The Eyes of 
Texas are  Upon You," meaning that the state of _Texas_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas)  was watching and expecting  the students to go out and do great 
things. Prather enjoyed the song and  promoted its usage. He died not long 
thereafter, and the song was played at his  funeral. After this, the song achieved 
its complete dignity and meaning._[1]_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eyes_of_Texas#endnote_eyesUtexas)  
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_http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/eyes_of_texas_university_of_t
exas_alma_mater/_ 
(http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/eyes_of_texas_university_of_texas_alma_mater/)  
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“Eyes of Texas” (University of Texas alma mater)
 
"The eyes of Texas are upon you” was a favorite saying of Colonel William  
Prather (1848-1905), a president of the University of Texas. In 1903, John  
Sinclair wrote the song “The Eyes of Texas” for a Cowboy Minstrel Show, to the  
tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” It would become the university’s 
 alma mater. 

The phrase “the eyes of Texas are upon you” has been used in  a political 
context since at least 1892. 


_University of Texas  Longhorn Band_ 
(http://lhb.music.utexas.edu/history/songs_index.html)  
“The Eyes of Texas” 
“The Eyes of Texas” is the  official Alma Mater of the University of Texas. 
It was written in 1903 by John  Sinclair, in response to a request that a song 
be written for the Cowboy  Minstrel Show. Since he was given only a few hours 
in which to come up with a  tune, Mr. Sinclair hit upon the idea of using a 
famous saying of Colonel  Prather, who was the President of the University. The 
Colonel always told his  audiences to remember that “the eyes of Texas are 
upon you.” This expression was  fitted to the tune of “I’ve Been working on the 
Railroad.”  
Sinclair, dressed in minstrel attire with a black face, sang the song in  
imitation of President Prather’s serious tone and solemn expression. The beloved  
President soon passed away, and it was not until after the song was sung at 
his  funeral in tribute that it achieved its complete dignity. Now, it is 
played  prior to the start and at the close of all Texas sporting events and at all 
 other official University of Texas functions. The original manuscript hangs 
in  the Alumni Center. The complete original lyrics are as follows:  
I once did know a President, 
Away down South, in Texas. 
And, always,  everywhere he went, 
He saw the eyes of Texas. 
The Eyes of Texas are upon  you, 
All the live long day. 
The Eyes of Texas are upon you, 
You can  not get away. 
Do not think you can escape them 
At night or early in the  morn- 
The Eyes of Texas are upon you 
‘Till Gabriel blows his horn.  
Sing me a song of Prexy, 
Of days long since gone by. 
Again I seem to  great him 
And hear his kind reply. 
Smiles of gracious welcome 
Before  my memory rise, 
Again I hear him say to me, 
“Remember Texas’ Eyes.”  

_Handbook  of Texas Online_ 
(http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/PP/fpr2.html)  
PRATHER, WILLIAM LAMBDIN (1848-1905). William  Lambdin (Colonel) Prather, 
lawyer and university president, was born near Paris,  Tennessee, on May 1, 1848, 
the son of George W. and Lucretia P. (Lambdin)  Prather. In 1854 he moved 
with his family to Texas, where his father acquired a  large plantation near 
Waco. In 1867 his father sent him to study under Gen.  Robert E. Leeqv at 
Washington College, Lexington, Virginia, where Prather  received an LL.B. degree in 
1871. Prather was a pallbearer at Lee’s funeral in  1870. He was admitted to the 
bar in Waco, Texas, in 1871 and practiced there for  twenty-eight years. From 
1875 to 1878 he was Waco city attorney. For three years  he was a master in 
chancery for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. For the  term 1895-96 he 
was president of the state bar association.  
Prather’s connection with the University of Texas began with his appointment  
as regent by Governor Lawrence Sullivan Rossqv in 1887. Prather became vice  
chairman of the board in 1895 and chairman in 1899. He was made acting 
president  of the university in 1899 and president in 1900. Washington and Lee 
University  conferred an LL.D degree on him in 1900, and the University of 
Pennsylvania, in  1901. He was vice president of the National Educational Association 
in 1903-04  and vice president of the Association of State Universities in 
1904-05. He had  the highest of ideals for the university and gave himself 
wholeheartedly to  carrying them out-so much so that he overtaxed himself with 
details that he  might have entrusted to others. He thought that the president 
should promote the  university, that the university should serve the state, and 
that the students  should remember that the state looked to them for leadership. 
His reminder “The  Eyes of Texas are upon you” gave rise to the university 
song.  
8 November 1892, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 8, col. 3: 
Harmony  Hall was packed last night by the friends of Colonel Gresham. The 
reception  given the speakers would convince anyone that the democrats of 
Galveston are in  dead earnest in the support of their candidate. The addresses of 
Mr. T.  Ballinger, Colonel Gresham and Colonel Street were received with 
prolonged  outbursts of applause. 
(...) 
Mr. Ballinger delivered the address of the  evening. He said substantially: “
You have passed through a canvass which is  without a parallel in the history 
of the country. On its result depends the fate  of your fair city. The eyes of 
Texas are upon you; the eyes of the south are  upon you, to see if on 
to-morrow you are found wanting. For twenty-five years  Mr. Gresham has lived among 
you. 

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org