The Story of The Red River Valley

Marina sings the well-known lament of the many native wives abandoned by European traders who went back to their own countries, leaving behind a new culture known as the Métis.
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 pathway awhile.
CHORUS
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 one that has loved you so true.
Won’t you think of the valley you’re leaving?
Oh, how lonely and sad it will be;
Won’t you think of the fond heart you’re breaking
And the grief you are causing to me?
CHORUS
I have promised you, darling, that never
Would a word from my lips cause you pain
And my heart, it will be yours forever
If you only will love me again.
CHORUS
The dark maiden’s prayer for her lover
To the spirit that rules o’er the world:
His pathway with sunshine may cover,
Leave his grief to the Red River girl.
CHORUS
But remember the Red River Valley,
And the one that has loved you so true.

[@randallfrank5682]

My grandfather, George Frank, settled in the Granum, Alberta area in about 1918 after emigrating from Germany to the Chicago area then to Granum after helping drive some cattle up from the states. He married my grandmother Helen Nora Burns in 1920 and they had one son and three daughters. Sadly, George was killed in a farming accident in 1929 when my father was 7 years old. This song was a favorite of my father's and he loved to sing it to his children.

[@johnmore4155]

Lovely to hear the background to this much loved song.

[@kacimobelamirdz7062]

Thank you for sharing the wonderful story behind this beautiful song

[@alexandervanwyk6478]

What a voice!!! Priceless!!! Sad words but that ' voice is out of heaven! I love that voice!

[@John-pw3um]

My grandfather who was born in 1919 used to sing this to me as a child. He died in in 2012 and I had long forgotten the song till about 5 years ago when my father was diagnosed with cancer and two days before he was going into surgery, while we were having a beer and playing pool he decided to put this song on out of the blue. Suddenly it was as if all three generations were right there present in that moment. My old man looked at me and said no matter what happens I want u to know we Johns have a mystic tie and we will always be connected. All three of us are named John lol. This song runs deep thank God my dad survived but still every time I hear this song it's like grandad is right there with me.It makes me wonder how long this song has been sung in our family I wish I could have asked grandad if his mother sang it to him or maybe his father who was also named John and was born in 1880.

[@Alwayswilling]

I had an ancestor, John McDonald who joined the NorthWest Co about 1797 and was located in the Red River Valley and then further north and west of there trading furs and then helping to ship them by canoe through to the Lake head at what's now Thunder Bay in Northwest Ontario. He was among the NorWesters charged along with some of the Metis over the deaths of settlers brought into the region by The Hudson Bay Co in 1817 in what was called the "Seven Oaks Battle". He and the others charged were all aquitted and the charges were tossed when the trial began in Toronto a year later. John married an indigenous woman and lived with her, having four or five children, most of whom he sent east to his relatives in eastern Ontario to be educated. When he retired about 1828, years after the NW-Co.and The Bay had merged, as a senior Bay partner, he moved to the then new community of NewMarket, just north of Toronto, with his wife, but died within a year of the move. That's what I think of when I hear this song.

[@alimar0604]

Thank you for sharing the wonderful story behind this beautiful song 💝🇬🇧

[@tonywilliams1582]

Just beautiful. I have heard a few versions of this song but this one is the best by far.

[@richardkithan7974]

Don't know why my eyes get misty every time i listen to this song. Now that i know the story behind this song i feel so sad about the wifes left behind by their husbands.

[@yanlotha9549]

Thank you for the story. Many singers have sung this song but none can match this singer. Simple and melodious.👍

[@mickyalberta3484]

That's lovely of you, thank you!

[@charlescorcoran3154]

Excellent to hear the reason for a pretty classic. We need more of this type education

[@mickyalberta3484]

I'm not sure about the need, Charles-I just like the way folk songs carry bits of history around the world. They really travel: Check out “Kootenai Brown’s Song” on Micky's channel for another family story.

[@jeanettebutler9535]

Love this song. My mom and I would sing it together often. Brings back sweet memories.

[@mickyalberta3484]

I've sung it all my life.

[@henryjohnfacey8213]

As a radio operator I first heard this song on an American radio show. Brought back some memories. Beautifully sung by Garrison Keillor and I think it was Ann Savoy. I looked after many a US and Canadian veterans that came back to the UK to see where they were billeted before embarking for the invasion of Europe. That was in the 1980s. Thank you for posting. Greetings from Yorkshire.

[@georgebell2547]

Thanks for telling the real story

[@chuckg2016]

Sitting here in a coffee shop Labor Day weekend 2024 and this is the first I've learned of the song's origin. A flashback to a couple of overseas postings just slammed me right between the eyes.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Yes, music is powerful to hold and bring back memories.

[@clownhall1609]

So sad yet very BEAUTIFUL.

[@xanbex8324]

Wow...thank you so much.....someone pointed out the use of the word adieu ....as a hint of the real source of this beautiful song. Metis French Canadian and Cree Indian.

[@AnnKilroy]

Thank you for telling me the story of Red River Valley, Sad but true of times gone bye, One of my all time favourite sings Annie k

[@t.h.d9766]

Thank you so much for the story. The truth is sad.😢 When I was young, this was one of the songs I was taught when learning how to play guitar. And I still love it.♥️

[@mickyalberta3484]

And still playing guitar, I hope! :-)

[@vijithellepola9392]

Thanks telling us the tragedy behind this beautiful song..😭😭😭😭😭

[@AnnKilroy]

Thank you for telling the story of Red River Valley, one of my all time favourite songs, I play it many times on my hospital radio shows, Annie k

[@GeeMocktan]

I was this song in my school days. These days I am teaching this song to the children in the school in Kathmandu.

[@mickyalberta3484]

That's lovely. I've known it since high school myself but not the background. Did you tell your students the story behind it as well?

[@GeeMocktan]

I was taught sorry typo

[@GeeMocktan]

@@mickyalberta3484 I have shown your video yesterday. I will guide them your story.

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

Much more realistic version of the often popularised song most of us hear, better lyrics and melody, enjoyed that.

[@Kawal-s2s]

I think the melody and musical harmony in this composition blended with beautiful voice and tge lyrics are divinely inspired… indeed!

[@mickyalberta3484]

Very kind of you and shows your good taste! 😁

[@redblack8414]

Nice to see pictures of Louis Riel and his buddy Gabriel Dumont. Thanks for posting.

[@perfypudon8108]

Very very nice song

[@PeterSoeWynn]

Thank you for sharing the real story of "Red River Valley". My heart breaks with you. Such tragedy such pain and hardship behind the seemingly jolly song. Men had never realised the pain they caused.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Yep. Pain and human suffering is generally part of any significant history. Folk music records so much of it.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

"Jolly song"? You have heard a different version that the one I know.

[@joserubenalcarazmorinigo9540]

​@@lowellcalavera6045 Dijo "aparentemente" no dijo "canción alegre"

[@aurorapang3530]

Lovely song with a sad story, love it

[@Giaayokaats]

This is so amazing to hear! Also, I didn’t know Marie-Rose played accordion!

[@gertruidasnyman7672]

Thank you beautifull granddaughter for the history .I love the song ,always have ❤

[@mickyalberta3484]

I've been singing it all my life.

[@gertruidasnyman7672]

@@mickyalberta3484 Me and singing 😂... oh dear that i leave to you proffesionals .I enjoy listening ❤️✨️

[@cloromiratrevino1744]

❤ 1st TIME ACTUALLY ENJOYING THE TRUTH TO THIS ❤️ HEART WARMING ❤️ SONG !!!! MORE DETAILS 9N THE HISTORY OF ALL THE BLESSED BEAUTIFUL FAMILY BLESSINGS TO ALL ❤️ PEACE

[@9999-e3k]

It's this red river valley is excellence song

[@hisfavouritedoll]

Beautiful, brought me to tears🥺

[@englishcowboy9155]

And a thank you from England.

[@nehaaiman6900]

Oh my quite a wonderful back story! Also the pictures, it was lovely to see them. One of my favourite songs, and now to feel the pain that comes with the story. Love from India ❤

[@mickyalberta3484]

Thanks for listening

[@joserubenalcarazmorinigo9540]

Y quién fue realmente el compositor de la música. Gracias

[@nehaaiman6900]

@@joserubenalcarazmorinigo9540 I only got the ‘gracias’, part but ❤️😊

[@fatimajoh94]

What a great and sad story

[@mickyalberta3484]

Yes...sadness is part of our human history, but also adventures and massive changes and joy.

[@adeyemovictor]

Incredible story! Thanks for sharing.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fredbell1372]

Great story singing and pictures

[@pcj3405]

Awesome! Love knowing the story behind the music. Thank you!

[@fastsetinthewest]

Exceptional

[@Helenebemis]

thanks for this insight; here it is always set as if it happened in Texas. and was pictured as a gal leaving a cowboy.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Really doesn't matter, honey. Folk music is always evolving over time and people adapt it to suit the setting...that makes it interesting as folk history.

[@heartsandmindsathome]

Thank you. Yes, we are in Texas and have dear friends moving to Florida soon. My daughter will play this on the banjo for them at our last Poetry Tea we have with the kids. I love hearing this background story, but also appreciate that it has meaning for others who can relate. 💔

[@vanlalzapichhangte8653]

Thank you Madam for sharing this story❤

[@9999-e3k]

Nice song

[@johnmore4155]

My aunt used to sing this along to Marty Robins. She's been gone 30 years now but I still see her smiling face when I hear this song. Thank you for explaining the meaning behind it. You have a beautiful voice. Have you recorded any other songs?

[@mickyalberta3484]

Thank you! There are more on Micky's channel and on Spotify. If you Google Marina High Standards Spotify you should get all the Marina CDs.

[@johnmore4155]

@@mickyalberta3484 will do. Thanks

[@ryanswiggs]

Lovely story behind this gem

[@mrflatroofer4089]

Beautiful.

[@mickyalberta3484]

I'm very pleased people enjoy this song.

[@elmerlarimer9026]

love this song thank you

[@gowbunnell8754]

Thanks for sharing 🎉

[@jnsr7591]

Thanks for sharing. Subscribed, from Indonesia

[@ch64621]

Thanks for sharing the history behind a cool song. I'm really into old music and stories. This is really sad how many wives were abandoned. Brings me to tears.

[@joyceschofield8979]

This you sharing this sad story. But beautiful song.

[@JohnCarley-z3s]

Beautiful

[@georgezink8256]

Voice of angel

[@trevorbeanland3974]

Nice

[@scottgamble8772]

Love this

[@wowomonchingbautista9959]

my all time favorite soñg.i am now 65 years old

[@josechuy5334]

這是我最喜愛的牛仔歌。 很溫馨感人的故事。😊😊😊

[@mickyalberta3484]

xie xie ni

[@Kenneth-p1b]

Michael Martin Murphy also does justice to this lovely old cowboy song.

[@mickyalberta3484]

He's a terrific singer.

[@9999-e3k]

The first time l heard this song on my senior high school is very

[@JonesNongsiej-cu9bo]

❤️❤️👍👍

[@waltergobrecht6926]

Were these pics from Marina's personal collection? Thry were great!

[@mickyalberta3484]

Thank you! Some B&W are family, some are historical public domain, and the color photos are Micky's work.

[@theesotaricitalian6338]

Both the American Red River Vally that borders Oklahoma and Texas and the northern Red River Mohawk Vally in Manitoba Canada still claim to be the original writers of the song. I think the Canadians have better historical support. However, due to the first written manuscripts being found in 1885 in the U.S. noted with the Nebraska counties of Nemaha and Harlan, The South West has always claimed the song was their own.

[@mickyalberta3484]

That is part of what makes folk music interesting.

[@sandymcgill1910]

about 20 years ago I read an article about a woman doing her Phd on this song. She traced its roots back to Canada. It was originally in French.

[@mickyalberta3484]

@@sandymcgill1910 Quite possibly.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Folk music travels.

[@syourke3]

I think this lovely song should be sung more slowly and tenderly - it’s a lament and a torch song, full of heartache and deep loss and grief. It’s a catchy tune and can be played like a dance tune but the lyrics tell another story. A sad story full of tears.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Yes, that could work too. Many arrangements are possible for most songs.

[@JohnDowlingCarlow]

Great story and lovely song. Why did I always, until now, think the Red River Valley was in Texas?

[@mickyalberta3484]

Because there's one there also, honey. We're allowed to have more than one in the world. It's a nice alliterative name. Glad you like the song!

[@irafinkelstein423]

I always thought yhis was about the Red river in Texas

[@mickyalberta3484]

Wal...did you have a fur trade in Texas? 😁😁

[@gertruidasnyman7672]

The family tree concept i remember now.

[@jeromeclarin9977]

At.this.time.some.old.song.never.somtimes.

[@athole1954]

that is very sad, they would have been far better staying in canada😡🤠

[@jeanmorgan3086]

How come we can’t purchase this particular song on iTunes.

[@mickyalberta3484]

Couldn't say for sure. Possibly because it's a public domain folk song and many artists want to promote their own original material. I don't know much about iTunes but surely you can find lots of versions of RRV on KZbin, or try Spotify. 😀

[@agustinussiahaan6669]

Someone has used this song in youth sunday service with New Testament lyrics.

[@wisikahn]

I like to know this lyrics, please.

[@mickyalberta3484]

The lyrics are in the description.

[@mobare6233]

would love to have the lyrics to the last verse if anyone knows thoes

[@irvkettering1752]

Would you post the lyrics to your version of this song?

[@irvkettering1752]

Much thanks. I enjoyed your version and the history behind it.

[@jessasemic6124]

The best singer is Lyn Anderson red river vally .this song for miss Lynn Anderson no more. Frank Agustin.

[@MrScooternasty]

What is the origin of the song by Steven Foster, Old Black Joe?

[@mickyalberta3484]

Ray, it’s thought that Foster’s old Joe was inspired by a servant in his father-in-law’s house. Its soft melancholy brings the song close in feeling and mood to the traditional African American spiritual. Here’s my version. open.spotify.com/track/6c2SCgd9gvz6BqI1Gj2qH7

[@sunokasewwandi]

What is the meaning "for you are taking sun shine " ? " Because the heat of the sun burn your skin "? Or " seeking the prospirity of Europe .."? "

[@tonydoyle753]

It means that the sun will no longer shine when you leave me. My heart will be full of darkness and sad.

[@robertgrey6101]

The "Red River Valley" this song is about is in the province of Manitoba, Canada?? I note there is not the word "cowboy" in this song, possibly due to the fact it's history went back to the fur trade. MARVELOUS!! Now when I hear this song with cowboy in it I know it is a FAKE !!

[@mickyalberta3484]

Folk songs evolve and people change them to suit their purposes. Not too serious, Robert!

[@robertgrey6101]

@@mickyalberta3484 I am a sticker for originality and sincerety. Americans can take their version and remedy it to original text and authenticity.

[@wazeedali9673]

Thank you so much for posting this; I learnt this beautiful song in primary school in 1956 and have heard it all through the years. I always believed it to be an American folk song but now I know it's Canadian and the true history behind it.

[@tripodthreefoot2268]

@@mickyalberta3484 That's how fake history is written as something real in schools around the world, nothing but lies, as you called, it folk songs changed up. And yes it's serious

[@mickyalberta3484]

@@tripodthreefoot2268 No, this is nothing to get worked up about. It has nothing to do with history as it's taught in schools. This is how folk songs change and evolve for many reasons as they are carried around the world by humans. It's a natural and normal process. Nobody is lying! If you have some kind of crusade in mind, this is not it.

[@Honhjun365]

这首歌在中国是家喻户晓的加拿大民歌

[@mickyalberta3484]

是的。 中国人知道很多我们西方的民歌

[@akhampamei4860]

Why those cover singers of this song added their ugly words

[@robertschweppenhauser9891]

I hated the trapping so dammed cruel.

[@Alwayswilling]

Do you eat beef, pork or chicken? If so, them some day visit one of the big meat packers then tell us how you feel. Beaver trapping to meet the wants of 18th century fashionistas was a primary industry in Canada for almost two century, just as raising beef is today.

[@mfinn7185]

where is the story? where is the history of the song? This is just a grandma singing a song not even written by her. Tell us tge history of the song...who wrote it and why?

[@mickyalberta3484]

If you learn a little about folk music, my dear, you will come to understand that the authors of true folk songs are unknown, but the songs came into being to tell stories about things that happened to people. Also, grandma did tell you what the song is about. If you didn't understand, you could get someone older and wiser, like your parents or grandma, to explain it to you. Folk songs belong to all of us, so we all sing them. Love, Grandma 😁😁😁

[@Giaayokaats]

Here’s an article on the history. If you have access to academic sources, I’d also recommend reading the works by Edith Fowke in the biblo www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/72/redrivervalley.shtml

[@e.conboy4286]

minn: are you ordering another commenter to comply to your request for information? Your request is in a very rude manner. Perhaps you should learn some good manners; also, learn to utilize Chrome or Google for additional information.

[@mfinn7185]

@@e.conboy4286 are you some kind of clown? are YOU ordering me to learn something? wow! you really ought to wake up and go back to getting a proper education...oh yes, you should also learn to do what you tell others to do. Got it?

[@mfinn7185]

@@mickyalberta3484 Enough gibberish from you...people often tell others to check up google, or ask someone else etc. when they can't come up with a proper and meaningful answer.

[@pvtimberfaller]

The song is about the Red river in Texas. Read a book.

[@mickyalberta3484]

It's not outside the realm of possibility to have more than one river with the same name, honey. This song is not about a river; it's about a people that figured largely in our history. Read a geography book. Include Canada. So many of your people know so little about us. 😁

[@tqt335]

@pvtimberfaller Such an ignorant, arrogant, and rude reply.

[@ashwhiteforest9078]

It's very common. Way back in the medieval era they'd take popular songs and rewrite them in all sorts of ways, either to fit the culture of their audience, or religious reasons, or even political propaganda. Happened plenty even before that. Sometimes the reasons for doing so aren't very righteous, in my opinion, but if the end result sounds good, I'm instantly a believer. For as long as that song lasts, I'm converted to its cause. That's how music should work. It's pretty much the closest thing you'll get to magic in this world.

[@ulay3916]

REPLY

[@AnnKilroy]

Thank you for telling the story of Red River Valley, one of my all time favourite songs, I play it many times on my hospital radio shows, Annie k