Red Wing - sung by Jack Marti

[bookworm1962]

This is the first song I ever learned all the words to - I remember driving with my grandparents and singing it over and over again till I could sing it by myself. I've always loved it, it is so sad but beautiful in it's own way. Thank you for a wonderful rendition :)

[Randidan]

P.S. ! I forgot to thank you for posting the lyrics... ...and I listened to a couple of other versions and discovered that at least one of my favorite old versions was only slightly slower than yours!! ~~that's what age & memory will do to you...Thanx again; I "fave'd" it...

[Randidan]

Thanx for doing such a gr8 job of this!! It could be a little slower, considering the subject matter and traditional treatments, but it's really nice to hear it in good sound [I'm used to the pre-1910 versions!!].

[fluffypope]

There's a good semi-serious version by Spike Jones. It's on his CD box set.

[Peggy91193]

Love this song! Thanks for sharing!

[barker131776]

Thank you so much. I'm 49 and my grandmother used to sing me this song when I was just a baby and a toddler.

[Pepelaputr]

I wore out a 45 rpm record of this song when I was a child in the 50's. I remember dancing on my Father's shoes to it. I cannot tell you who did the arrangement though. There is a reference on Wikipedia to it's composition in 1907 that includes a link to a cylinder recording from back then.

[SparklingSherry]

My grandmother used to sing this to me. Thank you!

[DieHardThunderhead96]

Who ever disliked this song is a troll XD I absolutely love this song!! It was also one of my great grandma's favorite songs to play on the fiddle :)

[mustiguan]

alright. thanks for posting.

[davensako]

This tune stirs memories and feelings from a simpler, kinder and quieter era... before freeways, billboards, television and neon. You heard tunes like this on the radio or at picnics in the park. Sweet, haunting, beautiful. Thank you.

[Jlgab92]

This song was what my mom used as a lullaby

[starfish50]

I can remember my Daddy playing this on the guitar and singing it to us, such a sad beautiful song.

[darkallegiance666]

Thoroughly enjoyable. I haven't heard this song for over 40 years & didn't remember the last verse. I love the way you sang it.

[guitmartiman]

@darkallegiance666 Glad to hear you testify! When I was asked to record this song, I didn't even know there were words to it! I had played it instrumentally with a jam group I used to play with, but had never heard the words before. It was fun to hear the story for the first time!

[tipitou62]

this song is what note (tone)?

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

@tipitou62 I capoed it on the fourth fret and played it in G, which would technically be the key of B.

[RRaquello]

This song was used for many years as a running gag on the Fibber McGee & Molly radio show. It seems this was the tune Fibber used to court Molly, but years later when he tried to sing it (to the accompaniment of his "old mandolin") he could never remember the words beyond "Oh the moon shines tonight on pretty Red Wing". An excellent version of it was done by the Mellomen quartet & is available as an MP3 download thru Amazon.com.

[vivalabam1986]

Thank you , the most precious memories returned I first heard this sung by my father as a lullaby sixty three years ago.The tears of loving memory flowed ,I had not heard the complete song, just wonderful. Sidney; Australia.

[guitmartiman]

@vivalabam1986 Isn't it wonderful how as song can re-kindle such wonderful memories? This really seems to be a special song in that regard! I'm glad to have been of service in facilitating such blessed memories. Thank you for your comment!

[faj2001]

@vivalabam1986 My dad used to sing us to sleep with this also. 57 years ago. Great memories. San Antonio, TX

[lookingback62]

@vivalabam1986 I could have written this post myself with very little modification. It was 63 years ago that my Mother sang Red Wing to me as a bedtime lullaby. My Father had recently returned from the Pacific and was looking for a job in Akron, Ohio. It was a bitter sweet time for my family who heaped love and affection upon me but with the recent loss of my Mother's only brother in a B-17 over England. My Mother, Grandparents and I were in Louisville, Ky. A great childhood memory.

[Eastwoodfan95]

like this comment if u heard this song for the first time on The Commancheros

[madenmt1]

My Grandmother use to sing me ths song as she rocked me in her rocker, that was so long ago, but even till today it is my favorite song, I thing back then it was sang by Mary Lane.

[coolanddark]

This was my grandmothers favorite song! I would always here her singing this when cleaning the house or whatever. Jack this is incredible! Why didnt you tell me you had this channel! WOW!

[guitmartiman]

@coolanddark Sorry about that, Dan. I don't spend a lot of time on this channel. Just when I want to upload a song that wouldn't necessarily work on my other channel. This song was a request from someone who couldn't find a recording of the song anywhere that included the lyrics, so he could give it to his wife for her birthday. It turned out so well, I decided to upload it to YT. In fact, I created this channel just for that purpose. I have added a few more songs since, and may do more someday.

[habibanola]

@guitmartiman Please do more! I'm learning fiddle. Loved your version of my new tune.

[rbheiss]

Fantastic recording! When I was a little kid back in the garden of Eden or something my mom used to sing me to sleep to this song. For some reason I did a search this evening and here I am. Memories man... thanks for the memories. Some of those memories come from the head but despite scientific arguments to the contrary memories also come from the heart. You sparked both kinds of memories here for me.

Thumbs up and added to my favorites,

Rolland B. Heiss

[rbheiss]

Fantastic recording! When I was a little kid back in the garden of Eden or something my mom used to sing me to sleep to this song. For some reason I did a search this evening and here I am. Memories man... thanks for the memories. Some of those memories come from the head but despite scientific arguments to the contrary memories also come from the heart. You sparked both kinds of memories here for me.

Thumbs up and added to my favorites,

Rolland B. Heiss

[rainintheface100]

My father used to sing this song when I was a boy. I have not hears for more than 55 years.

[googlesee1]

Oh my, what memories this brings back to me. My grandmother (born 1905) sang this to me so many times when I was a child. In her last years she had lost her short term memory, but I could say, Mamaw can you sing Redwing for me? And she would sing every word. This has just touched my heart. Thank you so much!!

[tboy391]

@googlesee1 I know what you mean.My grandfather (born 1909) would sing this after dinner everytime they came to visit. My grandfather passed away in 1995. I miss him greatly, so this song brings back some wonderful memories of years gone by. So glad that you found this song.

[Gamer360Guide]

ICE CREAM MAAAAAAAAAAAANN!!!!

[Allocator2008]

I never heard of this song, until I saw 'The Comancheros' with John Wayne and Lee Marvin, the two of them in the movie were drunk of their face and singing this to the top of their lungs - ever since, I tried to find this song, and glad I did, lol!

[TheDuckjay101]

nice tune that is a oldie my wife knows the words,but her dad loved them old tunes

[TTexas2]

Thanks for posting. My Dad born 1911, his mother sang it to him as a lullaby since the day he was born. Dad sang it to us while playing his guitar & harmonica. My Mom born 1914 said she learned it from her dad. Red Wing was Mom's favorite. Three months before she passed away, she called me at 2:00 AM one morning & requested I sing & play Red Wing on my guitar. So my wife & I sang it to her over the phone & Mom joined in singing the whole song.

[TTexas2]

It was the last time I ever got to do something for/with her. I am so glad I sang it to her even though I can't "carry a tune in a bucket" & I was only half awake. Later I learned from my sister, that for the first time since she had became ill, she was able to sleep well that night & her spirit was uplifted. Thanks again for a song well done. PS It is a true story about a real Indian maid. I wear "Red Wing" brand work boots made in Red Wing, WI, USA

[carolbentley99]

Wow, your version is beautiful. I have also been looking for recording that is sung. I found an old recording from 1924, sung by Ernest Thompson. It's a bit scratchy and he sings with a funny accent, but I'm sure it's true to how folks used to hear it. Apparently my great-great grandmother used to play this on her harmonica and her children would all sing along. Thanks for the great recording!

[asiam994]

really?

[JesusFreak288]

Hearing this song has brought tears to my eyes. My dad sang this song to us as he played his guitar many moons ago when we were kids. Thanks for recording it.

[bandurasbox]

@JesusFreak288, My dad also sang this to me so long ago. I was his youngest child...he was 55 when I was a tot. I will never forget this song! I have sang it to my son and MANY children over the past forty years.

[eddie123e]

@bandurasbox I used to sing this song on the 39th parallel in Korea in 1953!

[bandurasbox]

@eddie123e OMG! That is awesome. We have kept this song alive for so long, have we not?  It's a tune I will pass on to many and take with me to my grave. I would love to hear about your experiences passing this on to the troups in Korea.

[eddie123e]

@bandurasbox I am Scottish and was serving in the British Army. The fighting with the Chinese and North Koreans had become static along the 38th Parallel and we began to receive some home comforts such as a temporary canteen. One of our group was a young Welsh cook who had a wonderful voice and sometimes he would spontaneously start singing Red Wing. It is such a wonderful song AND we picked up the lyrics fairly readily and it became our standard chorus. Thanks for posting.

[bandurasbox]

@eddie123e OMG! That is awesome. We have kept this song alive for so long, have we not? It's a tune I will pass on to many and take with me to my grave. I would love to hear about your experiences passing this on to the troups in Korea.

[ruta2010]

My mom used to play this song on an old 78 rpm record. Brought back so many memories. Very well done.

[shanzbabz15]

wtf  hahahahhaha

[smartasasackofhammer]

This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Wonderful rendition!

[LikeAPhoenixRising]

I adore this song. It is a piece of my childhood that I will teach my children one day or, at least, my nieces and nephews if I never have any. When I sang this song for my grandmother, as a child, she nearly wept at the memory or learning it as a girl. This is one of my all time favorite songs.

[LittleBirdPathfinder]

I "teethed" on this song...growing up on my WWI Daddy's knee......not everyone is blessed to have a 61 year young Daddy. I would do life all over again would just spend more time really knowing the man my Father was....I am blessed to have grown up on his knee hearing his songs and his stories.

[gammabuda12]

my grandpa just died and this was the song he always sung

[barrymore]

Brought a tear to my eye. My grandfather's fav song which he used to sing to me when I was child. Lovely.

[VeeVeeVeeV]

Lovely job of this song!!

[mechmusicman]

My late father played this for me when I was a babe, on his harmonica while I sat on his knee. He'd sing it too. He was my hero, thanks for recording it.

[babyprincessparis]

I have heard this song all my life, i actually live in Red Wing, MN, a city named after Chief Red Wing.

[metrot22]

i herd a bad version of this song its funny but i wont post it in fear of getting in trouble

[mgo1990]

A beautifull song. Regards from Norway.

[abvavg2000]

Our Canadian mother would sing this to us when we were children. As Metis she believed it provide some connection to our Cree Grandmother whom we never knew.

[billy2rivers1]

The moon shines on pretty red wing

[crystalfire782]

this song speaks to me, because i am 1/8 native american

[Wintersmith12]

A piece of American history, and sung and played beautifully. Thank you :)

[phil31047]

Thank you so much this really is a song of legend 'specially when Woody got it and turned it into Union maid but this provided the foundations .

[phil31047]

Help I'm sure I heard the chorus sung by (of all people) Marlene Detrich as the sun shines bright on on Charlie Chaplin , his boots are cracking from the lack of blacking.What film was it please its bugging me .

[dryspud]

This Song was on "The Comancheros" starring John Wayne(john Wayne was singing the Chorus!!!)

[hackberryflat]

THANKS!! I've searched for yrs trying to find a recording of it - apart from my fascination with "old-timey" music --curiosity - in a couple of westerns - I heard John Wayne sing a phrase of it one time - looked ever since.

[bacon711]

n166erboy

my mother n law sang this when i lived with her as a young boy.... i always thought of my wife and i as being these two...thank you so much for making it possible to enjoy the memories

[hngwitch]

I got to sing this with Jerry Garcia backstage in Palo alto back about 20 years ago. I asked him if he knew it, my Dad used to sing it to me as a child, he did and we sang a verse together.

I miss you Jerry!

such a great old Americana song!

[thatusernamehasnotbe]

wonderful! thank you, i've been looking for this, my mother told me it was her mother's favorite song as a child, and her being born in 1908 she grew up with it. thank you so much!

[zippcity]

Great Randition, Love this old song was not pleased when the City of Dallas Tx banned it from the ice cream trucks in the city some years back

[guitmartiman]

Why on earth would they do that?

[christilea08]

My mother sang this to me as well- she told me her mother sang it to her. I love this song!

[ROYS5166]

Excellent rendition of a great old time song.  Thanks just came across this and enjoy will subscribe.

[albertaviking]

I love this song and have posted a video response to it!...ERIK

[kcluckystars]

thanks to you and laurie...

kc luckystars

this song brought mom back for a bit...she reached for the photo and knew.

you two keep on keepin' on.

[ChinaGroom]

Does anyone have any idea just how old this song is? My mother sang it to me when I was a child, over fifty years ago. She told me that her mother sang it to her when she was a little girl.

Brought back some very precious memories to me. Thank you.

[guitmartiman]

According to the copyright on the original sheet music, it was written no later than 1907. Words by Thurland Chattaway and music by Kerry Mills.

[albertaviking]

"Red Wing" is a popular song written in 1907 with music by Kerry Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music from Robert A. Schumann's "The Happy Farmer" (Opus 68, No. 10, 1849). The song tells of a young Indian maid's loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle. > ERIK

[coolanddark]

wow!fantasic Jack!!this was my Grandmas favorite song!!!excellent fav!!!!

[guitmartiman]

@coolanddark Hey Dan! You DID see this video before! See? 2 years ago! {:o)

[SierraNevadan]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

My mother is 81 and her much loved uncle used to sing this to her when was little. I've been searching for it without luck for several years. What a blessing you are.

[Draglineoperator]

my grandpa sings the same song it talks about her gitting pregnant and so on but he woulnt tell me the rest. that must be one of the many verses of this song it might have close to a million by now

[goldcountrygirl]

Your rendition is beautiful. We learned this song from our Grandpa, also. He was born in Missouri in 1900. I was thrilled to find the 100 year old sheet music years ago, and I treasure it.

[ReverendMadamMel]

My father sang this song to me so long ago. Tears and thanks.

[6936rw]

i remember this from when i was a small child in the early 50´s, i have asked numerous people over the years, but now i have found it, thank you so much, i am in tears, but smiling...xxx

[navywife1977]

My grammy used to play this on the piano for me. I love it so much!!!!

[johnmaloney67]

Sagebrush Swing by Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage is a C.D featuring red wing also Slim Dusty dose a great vocal of this song on one of his C.Ds also slim whitman on The Collection by Slim Whitman

[layadkor]

it reminds me of my grandpa who used to whistle it! so familiar though i don't know the title everytime i am hearing it! thanks for sharing!

[yeahbyme]

Thanks Jack, that was so great, and reminded me of my dear old auntie who sang it to me so long ago. I know all the words and have sung it often to my own kids. Beautiful pictures too.

[sis2fngpkr]

I've looked a lifetime for this song. My grandfather used to whistle it. Thank you so much for sharing.

[guitmartiman]

Don't thank me! Thank the man who asked me to record it! His name is Ron. He asked me to make a CD of it so he could give it to his wife for her birthday.

[SafetyChris]

such a sad song

is it an old folk song?

[guitmartiman]

Yes. Copyrighted in 1907.

[SafetyChris]

is it a true story?

[guitmartiman]

I don't know, although I'm sure there hundreds if not thousands of similar stories that are true.

[Dgahn]

It's the story of Red Wing and her love Hiawatha. It's also the town song of Red Wing, Minnesota. We had to learn it in choir in high school. I love the song and what you've done with it!

[guitmartiman]

That's so cool! Thanks for telling me!

[missfitziam]

My mother sang that song to me as a child. I haven't heard it since she passed away in 1989.Thank you so much for sharing it.Now I can share it wiht y children, thanks again for helping to carry on a tradtion.

[scottklaw]

And Still A Awesome Song and Voice.(**********)

[RLSguitar]

Nice song and pics brother Jack! It's very refreshing to see you venture out a bit. Thanks for sharing. God bless.-

[errolp7]

you truly bring a lot of joy thru your music Marti! keep them coming!

[valeroni]

thanks a loy for sharing!!! i like this tunes!! Have great day!!

[sailorfan1111]

amazing job!!

Keep singing!

Liz

[libbywu]

yay! great jobb!!!!

[fridaynightovernight]

thank you and God Bless

[JacksGuitarStudents]

#76 - Most Discussed (Today) - Music

[MonsterZero28]

Thanks so much for this. My Family loves this song...as My Grandfather sang this song so well. :)

[alexisasha]

That really suits your voice and your style of playing, Jack. It was all new and fresh for this Australian as I have not heard the tune or the lyrics before. Thanks for such a great song to listen to over and over. When you have more like this, let me know.

[babytreese]

I loved the pics!! Love this tune...good job!

[sisjewell]

cute little tune, I really like the pics!

[celticnooneson]

Brilliant,your friend should like this one! The old tune was transformed, by Woody Guthrie during the Labor struggles. His version was UNION MAID. His lyric matched the original tune almost phrase for phrase with different words of course...."There once was a Union Maid who never was afraid...."

[mvmays]

Jack great post and performance. I listened to this song all my growing up years as my Dad played the "gitfiddle" and sang this song often. I'm trying to recall who popularized this in the 50s. Just can't recall but seems to me it was on radio a lot too.

Thank You, Michael

[annadams95340]

I wandered around the net last night and found a reference to Bob Wills and this song. Considering my advanced age, that's probably where I first heard it as a recording. It referenced Amazon so it may be available somewhere.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

No doubt, but the man who asked me to do this and his wife, have literally been looking for decades for a recording of this song. There are lots of recordings of the tune, but apparently not many that include the words. But, I'll see if I can find the Bob Wills recording on Amazon. Thanks for the heads up!

[annadams95340]

You're welcome.  I would have checked for you but for some reason I can't access Amazon. One of these days, I'll fix that.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Well, I looked at all the Bob Wills CDs I could find on Amazon, but none of them listed Red Wing! That surprises me. I really thought I'd find it!

[rastagirl007]

The photos appear to be authentic, and if they are, they are beautifully haunting!Love the instruments. Great job, Jack. This must have been a delight for you to produce!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Yes, it was fun! It took me about eight hours! The hardest part was singing the words without a mistake! I don't know it by heart, so I had to read the lyrics, and I'm extremely near-sighted! To make it worse, there was no room for punching in if I made a mistake! It took dozens of takes! The pictures are of authentic Sioux Native Americans.

[THJsaalem]

A nice 1, indeed.

Thanks.

-HM

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

You're welcome! And thank you! :o)

[dulcajack]

Hey Jack,

I have never heard the words to this either. You did a fabulous job.

Thanks

Jack

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thank, Jack. I really had fun doing it!

[pinknblues1]

absolutely ace song and so well played and sung!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thank you! It was fun to do.

[patman2112]

5 stars

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks!

[jacquesmees]

Great song,

5*

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks, Jacques! :o)

[mclenptp]

Your fine effort must have made that man who made the request very happy.You are a kind person,Jack.God bless you and family.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Yes, he seemed really pleased. I'd love to see the expression of his wife's face when she gets it!

[4DRY4N]

Very nice song well done ! 5* A.D.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks! :o)

[IaNdAcRiPwAlKa]

good singing and playin ;)

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks! :o)

[montomaniac]

love the old time music Jack! This sounds very well produced! Is this a new project? Steve Robison SR. would like this song!! Has he heard it yet?

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Hi Joe, I don't know if Steve's heard it yet. I sent it to him. I did this at home on my Fostex VF-160ex. I used six tracks, one vocal, 3 guitars (intro, rhythm, & break), and 2 banjitars (rhythm and break).

[Barrie562]

Never heard this one before - very nice! guitar and banjo are great together. Others I like to hear are Apache and Cherokee Bend.

Good job on the song Jack!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks Barrie!

[annadams95340]

Thanks Raymond. I was going to try to find it as well as the other set of lyrics first chance I got.  Might have known you'd be right on it.

[ruotze]

This may become a classic!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

I think it already is!

[annadams95340]

I've known Red Wing since I was a girl (a long time ago). They also used the same tune for a song called Union Maid (probably Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger on that one.

There's another set of lyrics to that melody as well but I can't remember what it was.

Thanks for sending it to me.

[raymondcrooke]

Yes. Union Maid is Woody Guthrie's variation on the song. I've linked it as a video response.

Thanks for sending this, Jack. Always good to hear the oldtime songs.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

The local postman's daughter is learning this tune on the piano. In her book, they call it "The Happy Farmer." That's the thing about folk songs. You never know where a lyric or a tune will show up!

[SullivanNiall]

The other set of lyrics is

"The moon shines bright on Charlie Chaplin

His boots are cracking for want of blacking

And his old fusty coat is wanting mending

Until they send him to the Dardanelles"

Probably written when Charlie, being British, sat out WWI in Hollywood.

[Denverbuzz]

Different from your other videos but still awesome. Thanks.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Yeah, that's why I created a new channel for it!

[erine1516]

Nice song, this is the frist time i hear such a song. The guitar and the banjo is not bad. GBU. :)

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thanks! :o)

[mountainwomannc1]

that's awesome, Brother! Thank's for sharing!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

You're welcome, and thank you!

[VOVETV]

Tnx Bro jack... That was very nice! God Bless!

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

Thank you!

[phaedress]

I love these old songs! My dad used to play in a band that did these back in the 60s.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

I never knew this song existed until a few years ago when I started attending a local Oldtime Music jam. They play it probably every time they get together, but I didn't even know it had words until last Sunday! What fun!

[phaedress]

It's a wonderful bit of oral history, too.

[Mumzie49]

Loved it! Thankyou for posting and for helping out a fellow man. I hope his wife enjoyed it! Thankyou guitmartiman for sharing. GOD bless.

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

I'm pretty sure she'll be blown away! Not because of my performance, but because her husband went to the trouble of getting someone to record it for her! What a nice gift!

[Ingermusic]

cool the banjo rocks!

For the Love of Sound

IngerHansen com

[JacksOldtimeMusic]

I think so too, but in this case it's a banjitar!

[Ingermusic]

haha ok :) i'm not that much of an expert :)