Red River Valley

Traditional cowboy ballad · pub. 1896 · public domain

The 1 grows a seventh and suddenly owes the 4 a visit — the gentlest secondary dominant in the songbook.

KeyCDbDEbEFF#GAbABbB4/4 · two-step shuffle

Verse 1

From this Cvalley they say you are G7going,

we will Cmiss your bright eyes and sweet G7smile,

for they Csay you are C7taking the Fsunshine

that has Cbrightened our G7pathway a Cwhile.

Chorus

Come and Csit by my C7side if you Flove me,

do not Chasten to bid me aG7dieu,

but reCmember the C7Red River FValley

and the Ccowboy who G7loved you so Ctrue.

Verse 2

Won't you Cthink of the valley you're G7leaving —

oh, how Clonely, how sad it will G7be —

oh, Cthink of the C7fond heart you're Fbreaking,

and the Cgrief you are G7causing Cme.

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