RED RIVER VALLEY

“Red River Valley” is a folk song and cowboy music standard of controversial origins

that has gone by different names—e.g., “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. There is anecdotal evidence that the song was

known in at least five Canadian provinces before 1896. This finding led to speculation

that the song was composed at the time of the Wolseley Expedition to the northern Red

River Valley of 1870 in Manitoba. It expresses the sorrow of a local girl or woman

(possibly a Métis, meaning of French and aboriginal origin) as her soldier/lover prepares

to return to Ontario. The song and tune have been used in numerous films. It was

particularly memorable in John Ford‘s The Grapes of Wrath, whose tale of displaced

Oklahomans associated it with the southern Red River. Garrison Keillor often performs

the song on his popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. It is often sung by the

Sons of the Pioneers.

From this valley they say you are leaving

We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile

For you take with you all of the sunshine

That has brighten our pathway a while

Come and 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 loved you so true

For a long time my darling

I’ve waited for the sweet words you never would say

Now at last all my fond hopes have vanished

for they say that you’re going away

Then come and sit by my side..

Banjo Mountain