shenandoah
Dan Zanes & Festival Five Folk Lyrics
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Look away, you rollin' river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Look away. We're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Now the Missouri is a mighty river
Look away, you rollin' river.
Look away. We're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well a white man loved an Indian maiden
Look away, you rollin' river
With notions his canoe was laden
Look away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Look away, you rollin' river
It was for her I'd cross the water.
Look away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
For seven long years I courted Sally
Look away, you rollin' river
Seven more years I longed to have her
Look away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well, it's fare-thee-well, my dear,
I'm bound to leave you
Look away you rollin' river
Shenandoah, I will not deceive you
Look away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
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Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river,
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, I'm bound away,
across the wide Missouri.
Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
Away, you rolling river,
It's been seven long years since I saw her…
Shenandoah, I took a notion
Away, you rolling river,
To sail across the stormy ocean…
The missouri she's a mighty river
Away, you rolling river,
When she rolls down her topsails quiver…
Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away, you rolling river,
Oh shenandoah, I'll not deceive you…
Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river,
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you…
"Shenandoah," a folk song that originated in Canada, is a tribute to the Missouri River and the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The singer reflects on his love for the river that he has traversed, beginning with a longing to hear it and concluding with his disquietude at the prospect of leaving it behind for good. He notes how the natives camped along its borders, highlighting the river's past, and references the relationships that may have been forged along its path. The lyrics also make reference to the cultural divide that has existed between the white man and the Indian, with the singer acknowledging his love for the Indian maiden, a relationship that was not socially acceptable during the time when the song was created.
The "Shenandoah" became popular during the 19th century thanks to riverboatmen who worked along the Missouri River. Musicologists have ascribed it various meanings, ranging from being a love song, a sea shanty, or a loyalist hymn from the Revolutionary period. The song was so well-loved that the Navy, under Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles, adopted it as a song of remembrance, singing it at deceased sailors' funerals during the Civil War. The song's poignant style and simple melody have contributed to its enduring appeal, and the song has been played in various genres, including country and rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Expresses the yearning for Shenandoah's beautiful sounds
Away, you rolling river,
Acknowledges the flow and movement of the river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Reiterates the hope and eagerness for the river's sounds
Away, I'm bound away,
across the wide Missouri.
Indicates that the journey is beginning
Shenandoah, I love your daughter,
Declares affection and admiration for Shenandoah's offspring
Away, you rolling river,
Echoes the recognition of the river's flow and movement
It's been seven long years since I saw her…
Expresses the desire to reunite with his loved one after being separated for a long time
Shenandoah, I took a notion
Reveals an idea or inspiration to embark on a journey
Away, you rolling river,
Continues to acknowledge the river's characteristics
To sail across the stormy ocean…
Describes the purpose of the journey to encounter new experiences
The missouri she's a mighty river
Describes the grandeur and strength of the Missouri
Away, you rolling river,
Acknowledges the features of the river
When she rolls down her topsails quiver…
Describes the effect of the river's movement on the sails of a boat
Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Acknowledges the departure from Shenandoah, indicating a shift in the course of the journey
Away, you rolling river,
Continues to recognize the river's attributes
Oh shenandoah, I'll not deceive you…
Emphasizes the artist's commitment to honesty and integrity
Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Reiterates the desire to hear Shenandoah's sounds
Away, you rolling river,
Again, acknowledges the motion and dynamics of the river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you…
Concludes the song by restating the yearning for the river's beauty
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: D HOLMBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind