Red River Valley

Students enrolled in MUE 8363-Research in Music Education performed at the Goldton at Adelaide on June 27, 2024.
The tune of Red River Valley is reminiscent of several Gaelic songs. There are two significant Red River valleys on the American Continent: The Red River of the South runs through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The Red River of the North originates between Minnesota and North Dakota and flows northward into Manitoba. The Canadian folklorist, Edith Fowke, gave evidence that the song was composed in Manitoba around 1870. Anecdotal proof as to the origin of the song includes the use of the word "adieu" in the lyrics, a word not normally associated with cowboys of the southwestern plains. As is the case with most ballads of the time, lyrics were changed to fit new situations such as the Red River of the South rendition popularized as a cowboy song.
Featured vocals by Alex Davis and Bekah Smiley, harmonica by Trevor Wycoff, guitar by Emily Jennings.
Video by Emily Belle.