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Quiz about Marty Robbins Ballad of the Alamo

Marty Robbins "Ballad of the Alamo" Quiz

It's history, it's tragedy, it's music. Do you know the story of the Alamo that Marty Robbins retold ? All the questions are based on the lyrics of this famous song.

A multiple-choice quiz by Philian. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Philian

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
133,656

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1329

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. According to Marty Robbins in which part of Texas did the action at the Alamo take place? Hint

northern

southern

western

eastern

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Question 2 of 10

2. According to Marty Robbins which musical instrument can still sometimes be heard? Hint

a trumpet

a bugle

a drum

a fife

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the rank of Travis who commanded the volunteers at the Alamo? Hint

Major

Colonel

Captain

General

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which two legendary heroes were amongst the volunteers at the Alamo? Hint

Kit Carson and Jim Bowie

Buffalo Bill and Jim Bowie

Bill Hickock and Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the name and rank of Travis' second in command? Hint

Captain Russell

Colonel Bowie

Captain Dickinson

Major Francis

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Question 6 of 10

6. Complete the following lines: "Indian scouts with squirrel guns
Men with ___________" Hint

breach loaders

Winchester rifles

muzzle-loaders

Gatling guns

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Question 7 of 10

7. Of the 185 men who had volunteered not one took the chance to leave by stepping over Travis's line drawn in the sand. According to the song what did he draw it with? Hint

the butt of a squirrel gun

the hilt of the flagpole carrying the Texan flag

his army sabre

the point of a spear

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Question 8 of 10

8. What colour was the horse that Santa Anna was riding? Hint

white

black

roan

piebald

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Question 9 of 10

9. When the volunteers refuse to surrender and fire a shell at him Santa Anna orders "Deguello". What does this mean? Hint

A bugle message telling his troops to attack at once.

A bugle message telling his troops to surround the Alamo.

A bugle message telling his troops to spare none of the enemy.

A bugle message telling his troops to dismount.

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Question 10 of 10

10. How does the cowboy of today show his respect for the men of the Alamo? Hint

He steers his horse around and not over the graves.

He plants flowers by the side of the fortress.

He takes off his hat to them.

He dismounts from his pinto and says a prayer.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. According to Marty Robbins in which part of Texas did the action at the Alamo take place?

Answer: southern

Everything happened in the town of San Antone which was in the territory disputed with Mexico. That's where the remains of the fortress can still be seen.

2. According to Marty Robbins which musical instrument can still sometimes be heard?

Answer: a bugle

It is the "ghostly bugle" which is summoning them to the roll-call. It's not quite clear what you hear as they answer - perhaps the sound of their feet as they march to the point of assembly.

3. What is the rank of Travis who commanded the volunteers at the Alamo?

Answer: Colonel

Huston ordered Colonel Travis to "fortify the Alamo". The purpose was apparently to delay the Mexicans until Huston could gather together an army big enough to be effective.

4. Which two legendary heroes were amongst the volunteers at the Alamo?

Answer: Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie

According to the words of the song,
"Well, the men came from Texas
And from old Tennessee."
However, a study of the list of names reveals that quite a few were also from England, Scotland and Ireland.

5. What was the name and rank of Travis' second in command?

Answer: Captain Dickinson

Including the Mexican general, Santa Anna, "Captain Dickinson" was one of only six names mentioned in the song - they were Santa Anna, Huston, Travis, Dickinson, Bowie and Crockett.

6. Complete the following lines: "Indian scouts with squirrel guns Men with ___________"

Answer: muzzle-loaders

The men defending "The Alamo" could fire one shot and then had to set about the complicated business of reloading via the muzzle part of the rifle. Thus it was essential that the officers controlled very carefully just when ranks of soldiers fired their rifles.

7. Of the 185 men who had volunteered not one took the chance to leave by stepping over Travis's line drawn in the sand. According to the song what did he draw it with?

Answer: his army sabre

As an officer Travis would carry a sabre. It was more normal to volunteer by stepping forward over a line i.e. to put yourself forward. Either way all the volunteers stayed to fight.

8. What colour was the horse that Santa Anna was riding?

Answer: black

The song says, "A horse that was black as the night."
The picture painted is a dramatic one. Santa Anna arrives with his army "In the dawn's golden light". His prancing horse must cut a sinister and menacing figure.

9. When the volunteers refuse to surrender and fire a shell at him Santa Anna orders "Deguello". What does this mean?

Answer: A bugle message telling his troops to spare none of the enemy.

The idea is that Santa Anna is infuriated that so few men are refusing to surrender to his large army. Thus he loses his temper and orders that "Every one will be put to the sword."
On the fatal final third charge, "Santa Anna breached the wall
And he killed 'em one and all."

10. How does the cowboy of today show his respect for the men of the Alamo?

Answer: He takes off his hat to them.

"And he takes his hat off slowly...
To the men of Alamo."
He is remembering the way in which 185 men held off 5,000 for thirteen days back in the year 1836.

Source: Author Philian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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