Red River Valley
Love's Farewell: Red River's Melancholy Tale
Lyrics
From this valley they say you are going
Expresses that the person is leaving the valley.
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
Acknowledges the absence of the person's bright eyes and sweet smile.
For they say you are taking the sunshine
Suggests that the person taking leave is also taking away happiness or positivity (sunshine).
That has brightened our pathways awhile
Reflects on the joy the person brought to the speaker's life.
CHORUS:
Introduces a chorus that invites the person to stay if they love the speaker.
Come and sit by my side, if you love me
Directly asks the person to stay by the speaker's side.
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Urges the person not to hurry in saying goodbye.
Just remember the Red River Valley
Reminds the person of the Red River Valley and the cowboy's love.
And the cowboy who loved you so true
Reiterates the depth of the cowboy's love for the person.
I've been thinking a long time, my darling
Shares the speaker's contemplation about the unspoken sweet words from the person.
Of the sweet words you never would say
Expresses disappointment about the person not expressing certain sentiments.
Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish
Conveys a sense of hopelessness as the speaker's dreams seem to fade.
For they say you are gong away
Confirms the departure of the person, leading to the end of the speaker's hopes.
Do you think of the valley you're leaving
Questions whether the person thinks about the valley they are leaving.
O how lonely and how dreary it will be
Describes the anticipated loneliness and dreariness in the absence of the person.
And do you think of the kind hearts you're breaking
Asks if the person considers the emotional impact on others' hearts and the pain caused.
And the pain you are causing to me
Highlights the emotional distress experienced by the speaker due to the person's departure.
CHORUS
Repeats the chorus, emphasizing the appeal for the person to stay.
They will bury me where you have wandered
Envisions being buried in a location associated with memories of the person.
Near the hills where the daffodils grow
Specifies a poignant location near hills where daffodils grow, creating a romantic image.
When you're gone from the Red River Valley
Expresses the difficulty of living without the person in the Red River Valley.
For I can't live without you I know
Reiterates the speaker's dependence on the person for life and well-being.
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