Songwriting for Kids: Listening Room

• MP3 play whole song, hi-fi (broadband)
• MP3 play whole song, lo-fi (modem)

My first memory of this song is from grade school music class. One year, our teacher decided we should learn a lot of “cowboy” songs: “Red River Valley” and “Goodbye Old Paint” and “Oh do you remember Sweet Betsy from Pike.” I used to imagine nice, clean, Oklahoma! style girls, and cowboys singing around the fire. It’s a perfect song to describe the American West—the restless cowboy picks up and leaves for yet another destination, trading his true love for the adventure of the open road. His true love sings this song, pleading for him to stay and give up his rambling, cowboy ways.

What’s interesting is that it may not have even begun as an American cowboy song after all. Many researchers think that the song originated at the Red River in Manitoba, Canada (not New York or Texas where it was typically placed), and was popular in the Northwest territories of Canada during the Rebellion of 1869.

In either case, it remains one of the most lyrical and heart-breaking tunes in the American tradition. It is a song everyone can relate to because we all have friends and loved ones who have had to leave us, and we feel like they "are taking the sunshine" when they go because we know we will miss them so much. "Red River Valley" will always be one of my favorite songs:

Verse 1:
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 awhile

Chorus:
Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the one who has loved you so true

Verse 2:
Won't you think of that valley you're leaving
Oh how lonely, how sad it will be
Oh and think of the fond heart you're breaking
And the pain you are causing to me

Chorus:
Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the one who has loved you so true

Verse 3:
As you go to your home by the ocean
May you never forget those sweet hours
That we spent in the Red River Valley
And the love we exchanged 'mid the flowers

Chorus:
Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the one who has loved you so true