1. Lesson Objectives:
1. To interpret Red River Valley with the proper counting, costume and
formations;
2. To identify the basic steps and terminologies used in Red River Valley; and
3. To perform the basic steps and terminologies learned from the previous chapter.
A popular square dance in America, dance accompanied with a song lyric. This dance
is traditionally performed with one boy at the middle of two girls in each of three, but can
also be performed with one girl at the middle and two boys at the sides.
COSTUME:
Girls - dressed in gay printed or checkered skirt and white blouse.
Boys - denim trousers, checkered shirts and straw hats. One leg of the trousers
may be rolled up to give a rustic touch.
MUSIC - composed of one part of sixteen measures
COUNTING - one, two to a measure.
FORMATION - each set of three (two girls at the sides and one boy at the middle) faces
another set of three. There should be an even number of sets. Eight sets make a convenient
number but more sets may participate, if desired.
O O O O O O O O
X X X X X X X X
O O O O O O O O

2. Red River Valley Song
Verse 1: Now you lead right down to the valley,
And you circle to the left and to the right.
Now you swing with the girl in the valley,
And you swing with your Red River Girl.
Verse 2: Now you lead right down to the valley,
And you circle to the left and to the right.
Now the girls make a wheel in the valley,
And the boys do – si - do so polite.
Verse 3: Now you lead right down to the valley,
And you circle to the left and to the right.
Now you lose your girl in the valley,
And you lose your Red River Girl.
NOTE: 1. Dancers may start with either foot (L or R).
2. The steps must be light and springy.
3. The dancers sing “good and loud”.
4. The whole dance may be repeated as many times as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS USED
M – measure or measures
Ct. – count
Cts. – counts
L – left
R – right
Lesson 2: Red River Valley (USA)

3. Figure 1
Sing verse 1
(a) Dancers of each set join hands. Walk eight steps diagonally forward R, passing the
opposite set by L shoulders and facing a new set (8 cts.). (4M)
(b) Upon reaching the new set, all six join hands in a circle and walk four steps to L (4 cts.)
and four to R (4 cts.). (4M)
(c) Each boy swings his partner at the R while the L partner stands still. (4M)
(d) The boy releases the R girl and goes to the L partner and swings her. The right-hand girl
stands still. (4M)
Figure 2
Sing verse 2
(a) Repeat figure 1 (a). (4M)
(b) Repeat figure 1 (b). (4M)
(c) The four girls of the two sets form a R hand star and walk eight steps clockwise. Finish in
proper places (8 cts.). (4M)
(d) The two boys perform do-si-do, passing by each other’s R shoulder first-four steps
forward and four steps backward (8 cts.) (4M)
Figure 3
Sing verse 3
(a) Repeat figure I (a). (4M)
(b) Repeat figure I (b). (4M)
(c) The right-hand girls change places, passing by each other’s L shoulder, by taking eight
steps. (4M)
(d) The left-hand girls do the same, passing each other by R shoulders. (4M)
You can watch the video of the dance on the DVD presentation.
Lesson 2: Red River Valley (USA)

4. Practice Quiz:
Answer the following:
1. Write down the fundamental dance position of the arms and the feet used in this
dance.
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2. Enumerate the basic steps used in the dance and write their corresponding dance
patterns.
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3. Enumerate the dance terminologies that you have encountered in the dance then write
their step pattern.
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4. What is the symbol of the dance? Why?
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5. Does the dance show the culture of the American? How?
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5. Shall We Dance!!!
Lesson 2: Red River Valley (USA)
Perform the Red River Valley dance in front of the class with music and
proper costume.
You can watch the video of the dance on the DVD presentation.
After the dance, answer the following checklist:
Questions: Yes No
1. Did you execute the basic steps accurately?
2. Did you follow the dance steps properly?
3. Have you felt the essence of the dance?
4. Did you perform the dance properly?
5. Did you love the dance?
After answering the checklist, write your conclusion about the dance and about your
performance.
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Lesson 2: Red River Valley (USA)