You’re Not Just A Tree (Rio Red) – Song Lyrics

by Mani Skaria, PhD

[Verse 1]
Down in Weslaco, where the orchards grow,
I met a tree with a Texas soul.
Born of sunlight, sweat, and rain,
Carved by hands that knew the strain.

Dick, he saw you bloom,
In that quiet old research field.
He called Beto in, said “Take the lead,”
And there began a lifelong seed.

[Chorus]
You’re not just a tree, you’re a chapter in my life,
Rooted deep in red-dirt pride.
From clean nurseries to fields wide and free,
You’re a story, not a commodity.
You grew with Chet’s faith, not just a graft—
Rio Red, you’re our golden path.

[Verse 2]
Beto knew your every line,
Trained your limbs like rows in time.
From certified nursery soil to rootstock strong,
He walked your rows and sang your song.

Letters flew from near and far,
Praised your fruit like a rising star.
From Texas to Jerusalem fields,
You brought the truth that science yields.
From Weslaco to Cape and Adana,

[Chorus – Repeat]
You’re not just a tree, you’re a chapter in my life,
Rooted deep in red-dirt pride.
From clean nurseries to fields wide and free,
You’re a story, not a commodity.
You grew from faith, not just a graft—
Rio Red, you’re our golden path.

[Bridge]
And now I dream with heart and hand,
To ship your fruit to my motherland.
From Weslaco, Texas to India’s shore,
To feed a billion souls—and more.
Because you are the best in the world!
God have mercy, let it be,
A gift of Texas, from this tree.

[Final Chorus]
You’re not just a tree, you’re a prayer in bloom,
A field of hope from wonderful nursery rooms.
From Wonderful groves to Lone Star’s light,
You’re citrus fire in every bite.
You ride with pride on Texas roads,
Your name engraved in license code.

[Tag Line – Soft Refrain]
You’re not just a tree…
You’re the place I hung my dreams.