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"Red River Valley" | |
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Single by Hugh Cross and Riley Puckett | |
B-side | "When You Wore a Tulip" |
Written | c. 1890s |
Released | January 1928 |
Recorded | November 3, 1927[1] |
Studio | Atlanta, Georgia |
Genre | Canadian folk music, Country, Western |
Length | 2:54 |
Label | Columbia 15206 |
Songwriter(s) | Traditional |
"Red River Valley" is a folk song and cowboy music standard of uncertain origins that has gone by different names (such as "Cowboy Love Song", "Bright Sherman Valley", "Bright Laurel Valley", "In the Bright Mohawk Valley", and "Bright Little Valley"), depending on where it has been sung. It is listed as Roud Folk Song Index 756 and by Edith Fowke as FO 13. It is recognizable by its chorus (with several variations):
From this valley they say you are going,
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile.
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway a while.
So come sit by my side if you love me.
Do not hasten to bid me adieu.
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy that has loved you so true.
Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time, ranked #10.[2]