很久很久以前，在一個名叫“紅河穀”的鄉村有一位牛仔小夥子，他暗戀同村的一位姑娘有很長一段時間了。一天，小夥突然聽說姑娘要離開紅河穀了，他悲傷不已，向前來告別的姑娘唱出了這首歌，表達了他依依不舍的心情。歌詞有3段，分別是這樣的：
聽說你就要離開紅河穀了，我會很想你的，你明亮的眼睛、甜蜜的微笑，我永遠難忘。你離開後，這裏再也不會有往日的歡樂了。
要是你愛我，就陪我坐一會兒，不要那麽匆忙告別。不要忘記紅河穀，不要忘記紅河穀有一個真心愛你的牛仔。
親愛的我期待許久了，幻想你愛的表白，可你一直沒說。唉，現在我的美好幻想已經徹底破滅了，因為你馬上就要離開紅河穀了。
From this valley they say you are going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
They say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway awhile
Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And a cowboy who loved you so true
I've been thinking a long time, my darling
Of those sweet words you never would say
Now, alas, all my fond hopes have vanished
They say you are going away
【後記】：由於年代久遠，這首歌的歌詞有很多版本，但大體的意思是一樣的。以下是我綜合各種版本並做了一些小修改後，比較滿意的版本：
From this valley they say you are going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For you'll take with you all of the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway 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 a cowboy who loved you so true
I have waited a long time, my darling
For those sweet words you never would say
Now, alas, all my fond hopes have vanished
For they say you are going away
