Red River Valley: Unraveling the Song’s True Origins
The Song “Red River Valley”
Early Recordings and Success
The folk song “Red River Valley” has a rich recording history. The first known recording was in 1925 by Carl Sprague, titled “Cowboy’s Love Song.” That same year, Bascom Lamar Lunsford recorded a version called “The Sherman Valley.”
However, the biggest hit version was released in 1927 by Hugh Cross & Riley Puckett, which firmly established the name “Red River Valley.”
From “Bright Mohawk Valley” to a Country Hit
According to musician Mike Seeger, the song’s name evolved. He recalled a tune they played called “Bright Mohawk Valley.” Seeger loved it and taught it to Riley Puckett, who recorded it under that title. When the record did not sell well, the name was changed to reference the Red River in Arkansas. This strategic change transformed the song into one of country music’s biggest sellers.
Which Red River? The Geographical Puzzle
The song’s title is ambiguous, as there are several “Red Rivers” across North America. For instance, folk singer Lily May Ledford was from the Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
The Little Red River in Arkansas
As mentioned by Mike Seeger, the Red River in Arkansas, also known as the Little Red River, is one candidate for the song’s namesake.
The Red River of Texas and Oklahoma
This is the second-longest river associated with Texas. Its principal tributaries include:
- The Pease and Wichita rivers in north-central Texas.
- The Sulphur River in Northeast Texas.
- The Washita River from Oklahoma.
The Ouachita River is a main tributary in its lower course.
The Red River of the North (Canada/US)
The Red River Valley, which spans North Dakota, Minnesota, and Manitoba, is renowned for its fertile lands and is another possible setting for the song.
Theories on the Song’s Origins
The “Bright Mohawk Valley” Connection
One of the earliest printed versions of the song, titled “In the Bright Mohawk Valley,” was published in New York in 1896, crediting James J. Kerrigan as the writer.
The Canadian Rebellion Theory
Folklorist Edith Fowke disputed Kerrigan’s authorship. In her article, “The Red River Valley Re-Examined,” she suggests the song was likely composed around 1870 during the Wolseley Expedition to the northern Red River Valley in Manitoba. Fowke argues that the song was known in at least five Canadian provinces before 1896 and was probably inspired by the Red River Rebellion of 1870.
The Cowboy and the School Teacher Story
According to “Powder River Jack” Lee, the original song tells of a love affair between a cowboy and a schoolteacher from the East. As she prepared to return home, the cowboy lamented that if she left him, he would undoubtedly never see her again. In this version, the “Red River Valley” refers to a location in South Dakota.