RED  RIVER  VALLEY

Time signature:  4/4
Tempo: wide range, average ~120  bpm
​
Traditional
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar = 4
Beat symbol = "dot"  ( . )  or equivalent.
Either row (high):   Buttons  5 - 8

Verse 1 (of several)

   .5     .6    |   :7    .7     .7    |   :7     .7*   .7    |   .7*   .:6~ | ~:  
From  this     val - ley  they     say  you  are        go - ing ___  

 .5    .6    |   :7      .6       .7     |    :8      .8*     .7     |   ::7*~ | ~:                  
We  will     miss  your  bright     eyes  and  sweet      smile__    

 .8     .8*   |   :7    .7     .7*   |   :6     .7*   .7    |   .8     .:8*~ | ~:  
For  they     say  you  are       tak - ing   the     sun - shine___  
​
  .5*    .5*   |    :5       .6*    .6    |   :7*   .7      .7*   |   ::6~ | ~:  
That  has      bright-ened  our     path-ways   a          while__ 

​The full set of lyrics (with chorus) is given at the bottom of this web page.
​The chorus uses the same accordion notation as the verse.
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
13 videos - 14 recordings in keys:    Ab=1        B=1     C=2     C,Db=1     D=3   
                                                          Eb,E=1     E=1     F=2     G=2
                                                        
Key:  D

Tempo:  ~170 bpm

Singer:   Mike ?

Posted by: ​ ichingiching
Two separate recordings ...

Key:  F from time 0 to 3:00  -  1st

         G from 3:00 to 5:36 (end) - 2nd

Tempo:  ~105 bpm

Group:  Marty Robbins

​Posted by:  Tarquin45
Key: Eb  from time  0  to 1:57
         E   from  1:58 to end

Tempo:  ~110 bpm

Group:  Foster and Allen  

​Posted by:  ​Forgotten Ireland
Key:  F 

Tempo:  ~110 bpm

Singer:  Eddy Arnold  

​Posted by:  jym1644
Key:  C   from time  0  to  1:53
          Db  from  1:54to 3:00  (end)

Tempo: ~110 bpm

Singer:  Roger Whittaker

Posted by:  TheBestMusic112's channel
Key:  D 
​
Tempo:  ~90 bpm

Singer:  Jo Stafford

Group:   Paul Weston & Orchestra, and the
​               Norman Luboff Choir

Posted by:  twerpy7
​
Key:  E

Tempo:  ~85 bpm.

Singer:  George Strait

Posted by: luella812
Key:   D

Singer:   Lynn Anderson  
​
Posted by: Cowboy Hat Radio
Key:  Ab

Tempo:  ~125 bpm

Singer:  Jimmy Rodgers

​Posted by:  Leon Spicer

​
Key:  C

Tempo:  ~85 bpm

Singer:  Challace Earls

Posted by:  Challace Earls
Key:  B 

Singer:  Susie Bogguss

Posted by: kVarious Artists - Topic
Key:  C
​
Tempo:  ~125 bpm

Group:  Quebe Sisters

Lead singer:  Warren Buffett  

Posted by: The Quebe Sisters

Favorite youTube comment:  "Mr. Buffett missed his calling. Think of all the money he could have made singing."   (Warren Buffett, the investor, is already one of the wealthiest people in the world.)
Key:  G 
​
Group:  Smothers Brothers (Comedy Hour)

​Posted by:  The Smothers Brothers

Boy ...  this brought back memories!

They used Red River Valley as the book-ends for this skit.
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:

Most of the videos above
contain only a couple of
​verses with chorus.

Also, there are other
​versions of the lyrics
in some of the videos.
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 pathways a while. 

Chorus (same tune as verse):
          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 girl that has loved you so true. 

I've been thinking a long time, my darling, 
Of the sweet words you never would say, 
Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish? 
For they say you are going away. 

Won't you think of the valley you're leaving, 
Oh, how lonely and sad it will be, 
Just think of the fond heart you're breaking, 
And the grief you are causing to me. 

From this valley they say you are going, 
When you go, may your darling go too? 
Would you leave her behind unprotected, 
When she loves no one other than you. 

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. 

I have promised you, darling, that never 
Will a word from my lips cause you pain, 
And my life, it will be yours forever, 
If you only will love me again. 

They will bury me where you have wandered, 
Near the hills where the daffodils grow, 
When you're gone from the Red River valley, 
For I can't live without you I know. 
 
Background Link:
There are many "Red" river's in North America.  My favorite flows out of the Northern United States into and through Manitoba, including Winnipeg.  During periods of flooding (which happens all too frequently) it covers wide areas of land, and the locals refer to it as the "Red Sea".

Click HERE for additional info about this song.