“Ida Red (I)”

Description

"Ida Red, Ida Red, I'm in love with Ida Red." Verses often concern Ida, but are frequently silly and exaggerated: "Ida Red, she ain't a fool, Bigger'n an elephant, stronger'n a mule."

Notes

Wheeler's version has the chorus, "Ida Red, I'm gettin' tired uv eatin' that shortnin' bread." Not enough reason to call it a separate song, to my mind -- though Roud, for once, appears to split (it's his #9992). Of course, he lumps this with "Ida Red (II)." - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Cripple Creek (I)" (floating verses)

Recordings

• Dykes Magic City Trio, "Ida Red" (Brunswick 125, 1927)
• Land Norris, "Ida Red" (OKeh 45006, 1925)
• Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, "Shootin' Creek" (composite, with tune and chorus from "Cripple Creek (I); Columbia15286-D, 1928; on CPoole01, CPoole05)
• Fiddlin' Powers & Family, "Ida Red" (Victor 19434, 1924)
• Pete Steele, "Ida Red" (on PSteele01)
• Riley Puckett, "Ida Red" (Columbia 15102-D, 1926)
• Gid Tanner & the Skillet Lickers, "Ida Red" (Montgomery Ward M-4846, 1935)
• "T" Texas Tyler, "Ida Red" (4-Star 1228, n.d. but post-World War II)
• Wade Ward, "Ida Red" [instrumental] (on GraysonCarroll1)
• Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, "Ida Red" (Vocalion 05079, 1939/Columbia 37725, 1947)

References

1. Randolph 442, "Ida Red" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Silber-FSWB, p. 36, "Ida Red" (1 text)
3. Rorrer, p. 83, "Shootin' Creek" (1 text, with verses from this song but music and chorus from "Cripple Creek (I)")
4. MWheeler, p. 14, "Ida Red" (1 text, 1 tune, somewhat removed from the standard version but too close to list as a separate song)
5. DT, IDARED
6. Roud #3429
7. BI, R442