Red River Valley lyrics and guitar chords
Red river valley tenor guitar / mandola tab in CGDA tuning included. Easy to play guitar chords. written by James Kerrigan 1896, the sheet music notes are also included here, The chords in the key of E Major are the same as what Michael Martin uses in his youtube video. Red River Valley Sheet Music And Tin Whistle Notes .
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[D]From this valley they say you are going
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet[A] smile For they[D] say you are taking the[G] sunshine That has[A] brightened our path for a [D]while 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 cowboy who loved you so true Won't you think of the valley you're leaving Oh how lonely, how sad it will be? Oh think of the fond heart you're breaking And the grief you are causing to me 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 Intro chords for Michael Martin version.
[E] [D] [B][E] [D] [B][D][E][A] [B] [E] [E]From this [F#]vall[G#m]ey they say [B]you are [E]going We will miss your bright eyes and sweet[B] smile For they[E] say you are taking the[A] sunshine That has[B] brightened our [F#m]path [D]for a [E]]while [E]Come and sit by my side [B]if you [E]love me Do not hasten to bid me a[B]dieu But re[E]member the Red River [A]Valley And the [B]cowboy who loved you so [E]true |
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Red river valley tenor guitar / mandola tab in CGDA
A Brief History of American Folk Songs
American folk songs are a rich and diverse tradition, reflecting the country’s varied cultural influences, historical struggles, and regional identities. These songs, often passed down orally, represent the lives, hopes, and hardships of generations. Below is a breakdown of the history and key elements of American folk music:
1. Origins and InfluencesAmerican folk music originated from a melting pot of cultures and traditions, including:
2. Themes in American Folk Songs
3. Regional Folk Traditions
4. Folk Revival of the Early 20th Century
5. 1960s Folk RevivalThe 1960s saw a massive resurgence of American folk music, especially in the context of social and political movements:
American folk songs are a rich and diverse tradition, reflecting the country’s varied cultural influences, historical struggles, and regional identities. These songs, often passed down orally, represent the lives, hopes, and hardships of generations. Below is a breakdown of the history and key elements of American folk music:
1. Origins and InfluencesAmerican folk music originated from a melting pot of cultures and traditions, including:
- English, Irish, and Scottish Ballads: Early settlers brought their ballad traditions to America. Songs like “Barbara Allen” and “The House Carpenter” are examples of old-world ballads that evolved in the New World.
- African-American Influence: Enslaved African people contributed rhythms, spirituals, work songs, and the blues, which deeply influenced folk music.
- Native American Music: Indigenous music traditions, with their unique melodies and rhythms, also influenced American folk music.
- Immigrant Traditions: German, Polish, Scandinavian, and other European immigrants brought their musical styles, further enriching the tradition.
2. Themes in American Folk Songs
- Work and Labor: Songs like “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” and “The Erie Canal” reflected the life of laborers.
- Civil Rights and Social Change: Folk music played a critical role in movements for equality and justice, as seen in songs like “We Shall Overcome.”
- Migration and Westward Expansion: Ballads such as “Home on the Range” captured the spirit of the American frontier.
- Spirituals and Hymns: African-American spirituals, like “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” became a powerful part of the folk tradition.
- Love and Loss: Many folk songs reflect stories of heartbreak and separation, such as “Shenandoah.”
3. Regional Folk Traditions
- Appalachian Folk: The Appalachian Mountains became a center for traditional ballads and fiddle tunes, many derived from Irish and Scottish heritage.
- Blues and Spirituals (Southern Folk): Blues music, born in the Deep South, became a foundational genre, influencing American folk and popular music.
- Western Cowboy Songs: Songs like “Streets of Laredo” and “The Old Chisholm Trail” reflect cowboy life and western expansion.
- New England Folk: Maritime ballads and sea shanties were common in the northeastern United States.
4. Folk Revival of the Early 20th Century
- Folk music gained popularity with collectors like John Lomax and Alan Lomax, who traveled across the country recording traditional songs and preserving oral traditions.
- In the 1930s and 1940s, Woody Guthrie emerged as one of the most iconic American folk musicians. His songs, such as “This Land Is Your Land,” reflected the struggles of working-class Americans during the Great Depression.
- Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) was another important figure, known for songs like “Goodnight, Irene.”
5. 1960s Folk RevivalThe 1960s saw a massive resurgence of American folk music, especially in the context of social and political movements:
- Bob Dylan and Joan Baez became the faces of the folk revival, blending traditional songs with new protest anthems.
- Songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” became powerful symbols of the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war protests.
- Folk festivals, such as the Newport Folk Festival, became important cultural events.
