Shenandoah
Crispian St. Peters and Old Crow Lyrics
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'Way, you rolling river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
'Way, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
'Way, you rolling river
Away
I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
And hear your roaming river
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
Away
We're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri
Ooh
Doo doo ooo
Ah
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
'Way, you rolling river
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
Away
We're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri
The lyrics to Crispian St. Peters and Old Crow's song "Shenandoah" reflect the deep longing of the singer to see the Shenandoah river again. The river symbolizes home, family, and beauty, and the singer desires to be reunited with them all. The repeated phrase "I long to see you" emphasizes the singer's strong emotional attachment to Shenandoah. Additionally, the mention of crossing the wide Missouri river suggests a desire for adventure and a new beginning.
In the second verse, the singer expresses love for Shenandoah's daughter, further emphasizing a personal connection to the place. The line "for her I cross your roaming waters" suggests a willingness to do whatever it takes to be with her, even if it means leaving Shenandoah behind. The mention of seven years since last seeing Shenandoah adds to the emotional weight of the song, highlighting the singer's sense of loss and separation.
Overall, "Shenandoah" is a powerful song about the human desire for connection, belonging, and the natural beauty of one's homeland.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
The author misses Shenandoah and wants to see it.
'Way, you rolling river
The river in Shenandoah eternally rolls along.
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
The author reiterates their desire to see Shenandoah.
'Way, I'm bound away
The author is leaving and moving away from Shenandoah.
'Cross the wide Missouri
They are crossing the Missouri River to depart from Shenandoah.
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
The author is in love with someone from Shenandoah.
'Way, you rolling river
The river in Shenandoah continues to roll along.
For her I cross your roaming waters
The author is willing to cross the river in Shenandoah, which wanders freely, for his love interest.
Away
The author is moving away from Shenandoah.
I'm bound away
The author is departing from Shenandoah.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The departure involves crossing the Missouri River.
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
The author has not seen Shenandoah in seven years.
And hear your roaming river
The author misses the sound of Shenandoah's free-flowing river.
Away
The author is moving away from Shenandoah.
We're bound away
The author, along with others, is departing from Shenandoah.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The departure involves crossing the Missouri River.
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
Shenandoah is the author's birthplace/ancestral home.
'Way, you rolling river
The river in Shenandoah eternally rolls along.
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
The author reiterates that Shenandoah is their ancestral home.
Away
The author is departing Shenandoah.
We're bound away
The author and others are leaving Shenandoah.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The departure involves crossing the Missouri River.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SEAN MICHAEL COONEY, DP, DAVID ANDREW EAGLE, MICHAEL THOMAS HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind