Red River Valley (1879)

From this valley they say you are leaving We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile For they say you are taking the sunshine That has brightened our pathways awhile Come and sit by my side, if you love me Do not hasten to bid me 'adieu' Just remember the Red River Valley And the one who has loved you so true For a long time, my darling, I waited For the sweet words you never would say Now, alas, must my fond hopes have vanished For they say you are going away [Short instrumental bridge] [Break] Oh no no no Can't be true what they say That your taking our sunshine away Your absence is absence of spark [easy heartfelt] Your absence is absence of spark All pathways fade straight to dark If your bright eyes and sweet smile depart It'll break all of Red River's Heart Most of all mine I must say If we lose your sunshine each day [Verse] Do you think of the valley you're leaving? O how lonely how dreary it will be Do you think of the kind hearts you're breaking And the pain you are causing to me [bridge, background singers, easy, melencholy, sad] (Don't forget, my love, please don't forget me [Verse] As you go [Verse] 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 vows we exchanged with the flowers Oh no no no Can't be true what they say That your taking our sunshine away Your absence is absence of spark Your absence is absence of spark All pathways fade straight to dark If your bright eyes and sweet smile depart It'll break all of Red River's Heart Mostly mine and I'm not okay To lose your sweet sunshine each day [Sad melencholy outro] From this valley they say you are leaving We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile For they say you are taking the sunshine That has brightened our pathways awhile