Here is what Vance Randolph said; "This is not really a song at all, say the serious ballad singers, but just "idlesome words" set to an old fiddle tune, still popular at backwoods hoedowns and kitchen-sweats. Ten recordings of "Ida Red," .....1935-1939...., are found in the Archive of American Folk Song (Check List, 1942, p. 181)." Randolph gives a short version he recorded in 1941, the singer alternating stanzas with fiddle playing. Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. 3, p. 197, of the 1980 ed., Univ. Missouri Press.

IDA RED

Hats on the mantel, pictures on the wall,
There's a pretty soldier, and that's not all,
I'm mistaken, I'm not right,
Somebody else giv'n a party tonight.

(Shouted)
Idy Red, Idy Red,
I'm in love with Idy Red!

Down the road, a mile and a half,
I didn't see her, but I heard her laugh,
Idy Red, she ain't no fool,
Bigger'n a elephant, stronger'n a mule.

Mr. Fred Painter, Galena, MO, 1941. Note: In 1941, lots of boys in uniform ("pretty soldier").