Smith signed a contract with Universal Classics and Jazz for a £2.3 million advance in December 2008, the largest ever granted to a schoolgirl. Her debut album, Faryl, was recorded from December 2008 to January 2009 and released in March 2009. Faryl became the fastest-selling solo classical album in British chart history, selling 29,200 copies in the first week. It debuted at number six, but rose to number four in the following week, making Smith the third Britain's Got Talent contestant to have a top ten album. In 2010, on account of Faryl, Smith was nominated for two Classical BRIT Awards and became the youngest artist ever to receive a double nomination.
Smith's second album, Wonderland, was released in November 2009. A concept album based on Alice in Wonderland, the album was well received by critics, but was not successful in the charts. After the release of Wonderland, Smith's contract with Universal ended. In addition to releasing her albums, she featured on a charity cover of "The Prayer", released in March 2010, provided vocals for the 2012 album The Magic of a Thousand Strings by the International Harp Ensemble, and has performed at numerous events, including the 2009 Royal Variety Performance. Smith lives with her parents in Kettering, where she is currently taking a gap year before applying to music conservatoires.
shenandoah
Faryl Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away, you rollin' river
O, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away I'm bound to go 'cross the wide Missouri
'Tis seven long years since I last saw you
Away, you rollin' river
'Tis seven long years since I last saw you
Oh, Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away, you rollin' river
O, Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Away I'm bound to go 'cross the wide Missouri
The song “Shenandoah” by Faryl Smith is a traditional American folk tune that has been interpreted and performed by many artists over the years. The song tells the story of a man who longs to hear the Shenandoah River, a body of water that flows through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia. The man reflects on the passing of time, acknowledging that it has been seven long years since he last saw the river. He is bound to go across the wide Missouri, leaving Shenandoah behind. Despite his departure, he promises not to deceive the river and acknowledges the deep connection he has to this place.
The lyrics of this song are deeply rooted in the history and culture of Appalachia, a region that has its own unique traditions, music, and customs. The song is a reflection of the desire to connect with nature and to hold onto memories of home and the people we love. For many people, the Shenandoah River represents a symbol of simple pleasures, quiet moments, and a reminder of the cycles of life.
Overall, Faryl Smith’s interpretation of “Shenandoah” captures the melancholic and reflective tone of the song, serving as a reminder of the timeless power of traditional folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer yearns to listen to the river Shenandoah, possibly because it brings back memories or a sense of peace and tranquility.
Away, you rollin' river
The singer acknowledges that the river is constantly moving or changing, which could represent the evolution of their thoughts, feelings, or circumstances in life.
O, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer repeats their desire to hear the river, emphasizing its importance to them and their emotional connection to it.
Away I'm bound to go 'cross the wide Missouri
The artist is committed to crossing the Missouri river, which could represent a journey, a pursuit of a goal, or simply moving forward in life.
'Tis seven long years since I last saw you
The artist reflects on the passing of time since they last saw the Shenandoah river, highlighting the impact that time and distance can have on memory and perspective.
Oh, Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
The singer has accepted that they must part ways with the river, possibly due to the aforementioned journey or changes in their life that require them to move on.
O, Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
The singer wants to be honest with the river and acknowledge their strong connection to it, while also recognizing that they must move on and grow.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HAL SHAPER, N TRADITIONAL (PD)
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind