"Cherokee Maiden" is a Western swing love song written by Cindy Walker

Cindy Walker

Cindy Walker was a prolific American songwriter, as well as a country music singer and dancer. As a songwriter Walker was responsible for a large number of popular and enduring songs recorded by many different artists. She adopted a craftsman-like approach to her songwriting, often tailoring...

. 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.

"Cherokee Maiden" became one of Walker's first hits when it was recorded by Bob Wills

Bob Wills

James Robert Wills , better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western Swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader, considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western Swing and universally known as the pioneering King of Western Swing.Bob Wills' name will forever be associated with...

 and The Texas Playboys in 1941 (OKeh 6568). It has been recorded numerous times since.

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard

Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...

 recorded "Cherokee Maiden" in 1976 (Capitol 4326). It spent 11 weeks on the charts, reaching #1.

Asleep At The Wheel

Asleep at the Wheel

Asleep at the Wheel is a American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, but based in Austin, Texas. Altogether, they have won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception. In their career, they have released more than twenty studio albums, and have charted more than twenty...

 won a Grammy in 2001 for their version of "Cherokee Maiden".

Chart positions (Merle Haggard)

Chart (1976)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1