shenandoah
許嘉凌 Lyrics

The song "Shenandoah" is a traditional American folk song that has been sung for over a century. The song is a mournful ballad about a river, the Shenandoah River, and the people who live along its banks. The lyrics express the singer's longing to hear the river's soothing sound, as he is about to leave the place he loves and cross the wide Missouri. The song's melancholic melody and its depiction of the river as a symbol of unattainable peace, freedom, and home, have made it one of the most popular folk songs in the United States.

The song's origin is debated, but most likely it dates back to the early 19th century when European-American settlers spread across the Appalachian Mountains and met Native Americans who lived in the region. The word "Shenandoah" comes from the name of a Native American tribe that lived in the valley of the river. The song's lyrics reflect the deep emotional ties that people had with the land, the river, and the culture that was disappearing as the American expansion progressed. The "wide Missouri" in the lyrics represents the western frontier that beckoned many settlers to explore, but also the sense of loss and nostalgia for what was left behind.

Today, "Shenandoah" is recognized as a classic American folk song and has been covered by many artists in various styles, from cowboy songs to rock and folk music. The song has also inspired other works of art, including novels, films, and paintings. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to its universal themes of longing, home, and memory.