Red Wing

From Vol. 1
Traditional Treasures

SUGGESTED KEY: G

CAPO: None

CHORD FAMILY: G

TIME SIGNATURE: 4/4

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

A Little About This Song…

Also known as “Little Red Wing”, this popular song was written in 1907, 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. Woody Guthrie penned a version called “There Once Was A Union Maid” often sung at suffrage rallies.

Usually played as an instrumental, Red Wing is a big favorite in almost all acoustic circles. While the key of G is on the low side for a woman’s voice, it’s the key that most instrumentalists use so if you can manage it, sing it in G.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irIpecROTrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQtENRgF4Wo