Cherokee Maiden

"Cherokee Maiden" is a Western swing love song written by Cindy Walker. "Cherokee Maiden" was one of Walker's first hits when it was recorded by Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys in 1941 (OKeh 6568).^[3]

"Cherokee Maiden"
Single by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
B-side	"Ride On (My Prairie Pinto)"
Released	January 1942
Recorded	July 23 & 24, 1941[1]
Studio	CBS Columbia Square Studio, Hollywood, California[2]
Genre	Western swing
Label	Okeh 06568
Songwriter(s)	Cindy Walker
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys singles chronology
"Corrine Corrina" (1941) "Cherokee Maiden" (1942) "Dusty Skies" (1942)

Background

The title comes from a refrain in the chorus:

My little Cherokee Maiden, I love her so.
And though we're far apart,
I know I'll never be tradin' my love for her,
For anybody else's heart.

Merle Haggard cover

"Cherokee Maiden"
Single by Merle Haggard and The Strangers
from the album The Roots of My Raising
B-side	"What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana"
Released	September 6, 1976
Genre	Country
Length	3:00
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Cindy Walker
Producer(s)	Ken Nelson, Fuzzy Owen
Merle Haggard and The Strangers singles chronology
"Here Comes the Freedom Train" (1976) "Cherokee Maiden" (1976) "If We're Not Back in Love by Monday" (1977)

Merle Haggard and The Strangers recorded "Cherokee Maiden" in 1976 (Capitol 4326). It spent 11 weeks on the charts, reaching number one.^[4]

Personnel

• Merle Haggard– vocals, guitar

The Strangers:

• Roy Nichols – lead guitar
• Norman Hamlet – steel guitar, dobro
• Tiny Moore – mandolin
• Eldon Shamblin– guitar
• Ronnie Reno – guitar
• Mark Yeary – piano
• James Tittle – bass
• Biff Adam – drums
• Don Markham – saxophone

Chart history

Chart (1976)	Peak position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5]	1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1

Other Cover Versions

• In 2001, a recording by Asleep At The Wheel earned the group a Grammy.
• In 1984, George Strait recorded a version of the song for the Silver Eagle radio show at the Lone Star Cafe In New York