Intermediate BA2 - Unit 9 Featured Song-Tune (ii)
RED RIVER VALLEY
Traditional Canadian/American Folksong
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Button-Accordion Tune (ii) - Notation |
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This version uses only two chords (Bass button 1, push & pull). Note the lower levels of consonance between treble note 8* & chord o1*, and between treble note 5* & chord o1*. See further note below!
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Use treble outside-row, Buttons 5 to 8*
Hold each suggested chord button while playing the corresponding treble notes. This is NOT a tapping exercise. |
Verse 1 (of several)
.5 .6 | :7 | .7 .7 | :7 | .7* .7 | .7* .6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
From this val - ley they say you are go - ing________
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
.5 .6 | :7 | .6 .7 | :8 | .8* .7 | :7*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile_______
o1* o1 o1*
.8 .8* | :7 | .7 .7* | :6 | .7* .7 | .8 .8*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
For they say you are tak - ing the sun - shine_______
o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1*
.5* .5* | :5 | .6* .6 | :7* | .7 .7* | :6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
That has bright - ened our path - ways a while______
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
Further Note: For this tune, the lower level of consonance between treble note 8* and chord
o1* is most noticeable when 8* is held for more than one beat interval (as at the
end of the third line). The notes 5*, at start of fourth line, are only held for single
beat intervals, and the lower levels of consonance with chord o1*, while more
noticeable because the two notes are played in succession, are not a big problem.
Overall, the harmonic matching for this tune is "good" but not "great".
We'll repeat this verse & notation below, but with cross-playing on treble-end,
and using the o3 chord on bass-end.
The full set of lyrics (with chorus) is given at the bottom of this web page.
The chorus uses the same accordion notation as the verse.
.5 .6 | :7 | .7 .7 | :7 | .7* .7 | .7* .6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
From this val - ley they say you are go - ing________
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
.5 .6 | :7 | .6 .7 | :8 | .8* .7 | :7*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile_______
o1* o1 o1*
.8 .8* | :7 | .7 .7* | :6 | .7* .7 | .8 .8*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
For they say you are tak - ing the sun - shine_______
o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1*
.5* .5* | :5 | .6* .6 | :7* | .7 .7* | :6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
That has bright - ened our path - ways a while______
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
Further Note: For this tune, the lower level of consonance between treble note 8* and chord
o1* is most noticeable when 8* is held for more than one beat interval (as at the
end of the third line). The notes 5*, at start of fourth line, are only held for single
beat intervals, and the lower levels of consonance with chord o1*, while more
noticeable because the two notes are played in succession, are not a big problem.
Overall, the harmonic matching for this tune is "good" but not "great".
We'll repeat this verse & notation below, but with cross-playing on treble-end,
and using the o3 chord on bass-end.
The full set of lyrics (with chorus) is given at the bottom of this web page.
The chorus uses the same accordion notation as the verse.
Button-Accordion Tune (viii) - Notation (with cross-playing)
This melody part of this version is also played mainly on the outside row, buttons 5 to 8. However, the outside button notes 5* & 8* are replaced by inside button notes i4 and i6 (cross-playing).
As well, this version uses three chords (Bass button 1, push & pull, and bass button 3, push). Note the improved consonance between treble note i4 & chord o3, and between treble note i6 & chord o3 .This improvement is most noticeable in the last note of line 3 and first two notes of line 4.
As well, this version uses three chords (Bass button 1, push & pull, and bass button 3, push). Note the improved consonance between treble note i4 & chord o3, and between treble note i6 & chord o3 .This improvement is most noticeable in the last note of line 3 and first two notes of line 4.
Verse 1 (of several)
.5 .6 | :7 | .7 .7 | :7 | .7* .7 | .7* .6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
From this val - ley they say you are go - ing________
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
.5 .6 | :7 | .6 .7 | :8 | .i6 .7 | :7*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile_______
o3 o1 o1*
.8 .i6 | :7 | .7 .7* | :6 | .7* .7 | .8 .i6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
For they say you are tak - ing the sun - shine_______
o3 o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o3
.i4 .i4 | :5 | .6* .6 | :7* | .7 .7* | :6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
That has bright - ened our path - ways a while______
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
Further Note: For this tune, the lower level of consonance between treble note 8* and chord
ob1* is most noticeable when 8* is held for more than one beat interval (as at the
end of the third line). The notes 5*, at start of fourth line, are only held for single
beat intervals, and the lower levels of consonance with chord ob1*, while more
noticeable because the two notes are played in succession, are not a big problem.
Overall, the harmonic matching for this tune is "good" but not "great".
We'll come back to this later in this Unit.
The full set of lyrics (with chorus) is given at the bottom of this web page.
The chorus uses the same accordion notation as the verse.
.5 .6 | :7 | .7 .7 | :7 | .7* .7 | .7* .6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
From this val - ley they say you are go - ing________
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
.5 .6 | :7 | .6 .7 | :8 | .i6 .7 | :7*~ | ~:~ | ~: |
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile_______
o3 o1 o1*
.8 .i6 | :7 | .7 .7* | :6 | .7* .7 | .8 .i6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
For they say you are tak - ing the sun - shine_______
o3 o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o3
.i4 .i4 | :5 | .6* .6 | :7* | .7 .7* | :6~ | ~:~ | ~: |
That has bright - ened our path - ways a while______
o1 o1* o1 o1* o1 o1* o1
Further Note: For this tune, the lower level of consonance between treble note 8* and chord
ob1* is most noticeable when 8* is held for more than one beat interval (as at the
end of the third line). The notes 5*, at start of fourth line, are only held for single
beat intervals, and the lower levels of consonance with chord ob1*, while more
noticeable because the two notes are played in succession, are not a big problem.
Overall, the harmonic matching for this tune is "good" but not "great".
We'll come back to this later in this Unit.
The full set of lyrics (with chorus) is given at the bottom of this web page.
The chorus uses the same accordion notation as the verse.
Embedded youTUBE VIDEOS
These videos are included mainly for the benefit of anyone not familiar with the tune. Most performances include only a couple of verses with choruses. There are wide variations in the lyrics.
Seven videos, in keys: A=1 C=2 D=2 G=2
Seven videos, in keys: A=1 C=2 D=2 G=2
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Key: A (Outside row on A-D accordion)
Group: Herb Kraus & The Walkin' Shoes Posted by: Walkin' Shoes This version is known as "Red River Rock". Basically anchored by the traditional melody, and punctuated by "rock" interludes. Very well done by a fun-lovin' Group. |
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Key: C (Inside row on G-C accordion)
Singer: Suzy Bogguss Posted by: nashvillehigh Still sounds OK at 75% playback speed. Suzy slows the tempo at bit when the audience joins in at time 2:48 |
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Key: C (Inside row on G-C accordion)
Performers: Stevie NIcks & Chris Isaac Posted by: SidsCardShop |
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Key: D (Inside row of A-D accordion)
Singer: Lynn Anderson Posted by: Cowboy Hat Radio |
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Key: D (Inside row of A-D accordion
Singer: Johnny Bond Posted by: TheJonhyWest |
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Key: G (Outside row on G-C accordion)
Performer: ? Posted by: LDsongscreen |
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Key: G (Outside row on G-C accordion)
Group: Buzz Matheson, Pat Matheson, Buddy Griffin and Ray Sponougle. Posted by: Buzz Matheson INSTRUMENTAL Real tune begins at time 0:28 Before that ... tuning up |
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Background Materials, Information & Links
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Lyrics:
Most of the videos above contain only a couple of verses with chorus. Also, there are other versions of the lyrics in some of the videos. |
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 pathways a while. Chorus (same tune as verse): 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 girl that has loved you so true. I've been thinking a long time, my darling, Of the sweet words you never would say, Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish? For they say you are going away. Won't you think of the valley you're leaving, Oh, how lonely and sad it will be, Just think of the fond heart you're breaking, And the grief you are causing to me. From this valley they say you are going, When you go, may your darling go too? Would you leave her behind unprotected, When she loves no one other than you. 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. I have promised you, darling, that never Will a word from my lips cause you pain, And my life, it will be yours forever, If you only will love me again. They will bury me where you have wandered, Near the hills where the daffodils grow, When you're gone from the Red River valley, For I can't live without you I know. |
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Background Link:
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There are many "Red" rivers in North America. My favorite flows out of the Northern United States into and through Manitoba, including Winnipeg. During periods of flooding (which happen all too frequently) it covers wide areas of land, and the locals refer to it as the "Red Sea".
Click HERE for additional info about this song. |