SHENANDOAH
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river
I'll take her across the water
Away, we're bound away,
Cross the wide Missouri

My Shenandoah, Ilong to see you
Away, you rolling river
I'll not deceive you
Away, bound away,
Cross the wide Missouri

Seven years, I've been a rover
Away, you rolling river
Seven years I've been a rover
Away, bound away,
Cross the wide Missouri

Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river
I'll take her across the water




Away, we're bound away,
Cross the wide Missouri

Overall Meaning

The iconic American folk song "Shenandoah" has been recorded by countless artists, one of them being Bruce Springsteen. In Springsteen's version, he sings about a man who longs to take Shenandoah's daughter across the Missouri River. The Shenandoah River is a tributary of the Potomac River in Virginia, and in this song, it represents the man's home and his longing for it. The lyrics express a sense of wanderlust and restlessness as the man has been roaming for seven years, possibly indicating a desire for a sense of stability and companionship.


The repetition of "Away, you rolling river" highlights the man's separation from his home, and the repetition of "Away, bound away, cross the wide Missouri" emphasizes his determination to leave and find what he's looking for. The man's declaration of love for Shenandoah's daughter shows his desire to connect with someone and create a new home.


Overall, Springsteen's rendition of "Shenandoah" captures the heart and soul of American folk music, expressing the universal themes of longing for home and companionship.


Line by Line Meaning

Shenandoah, I love your daughter
The singer expresses his love for Shenandoah's daughter.


Away, you rolling river
The singer addresses the Shenandoah river, calling it rolling river.


I'll take her across the water
The singer promises to take Shenandoah's daughter across the water.


Away, we're bound away, Cross the wide Missouri
The singer and Shenandoah's daughter are embarking on a journey across the wide Missouri river.


My Shenandoah, I long to see you
The singer expresses his longing to see Shenandoah.


I'll not deceive you
The singer reassures Shenandoah that he will not deceive her.


Seven years, I've been a rover
The singer reveals that he has been wandering for seven years.


Away, bound away, Cross the wide Missouri
The singer and Shenandoah's daughter are once again embarking on a journey across the wide Missouri river.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bruce Springsteen, Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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