Ida Red

"Ida Red" (Roud 3429) is an American traditional song of unknown origin, made famous in the upbeat 1938 version by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, the primary inspiration for Chuck Berry's first big hit "Maybellene."

One, by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers whose "Shootin' Creek" (Columbia 15286-D, 1928), a version of "Cripple Creek", contains verses from "Ida Red", i.e.: Alan Lomax includes another in his collection of "Negro Bad Men" songs titled "Ida Red".

It borrows lyrics from an 1878 song written by Frederick W. Root ("Sunday Night"), and opens with: "Sunday Night" opens with: Wills and his Texas Playboys performed this arrangement of "Ida Red" in two of his movies; 'Go West, Young Lady (1941) and Blazing the Western Trail (1945).

Bluegrass and country versions, as performed by Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff, use the traditional humorous free floating verses, but in 4/4 time instead of following the easy going Appalachian tempo.

A version was recorded by Asleep At The Wheel on their 2-time Grammy Award-winning 1993 Bob Wills tribute album.