HANNES WADER (born Hans Eckard Wader on 23 June 1942) is a German songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴HANNES WADER (born Hans Eckard Wader on 23 June 1942) is a German songwriter (Liedermacher), singer and guitarist. He was an important figure in German leftist circles from the 1970s on with his songs that covered themes like socialist and communist resistance to oppression in Europe and other places like Latin America, writing both new songs himself and playing versions of older historical works.

Wader was born in Bielefeld, Westphalia. His works are mostly based on German folk songs. Aside from his own lyrics, he also performs works of famous poets like Eichendorff. He now rarely sings the workers' songs and socialist hymns that used to be a large part of his repertoire. He recently published an album exclusively with songs by Franz Schubert. He also performed translated works from Carl Michael Bellman in the album "Liebe, Schnaps & Tod".

Remarkably, many of the social issues Wader sang about are still relevant today. Besides e.g. Franz Josef Degenhardt, Wader can be considered as one of the most active political singers in Germany.

In the 1970s Hanners Wader became one of the stars of the political left through his provocative songs. He was a member of the German Communist Party from 1977 to 1991. The publication of the song "Der Tankerkönig" stirred up controversy, as it covered the kidnapping of the son of the tycoon Rudolf August Oetker. Wader even came under suspicions of terrorism.

In 1973 he moved to Struckum, in Nordfriesland, where he published some of his later albums. He moved with his family in 1998 to live in Kreis Steinburg.

He has published numerous albums and still goes on tours around Germany. He appears on open-air concerts and also in clubs.

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SHENANDOAH
Hannes Wader Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

Oh, Shenandoah was a redskin maiden
And a white man loved that redskin maiden

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

Oh, the white man loved the Indian maiden
With tradegoods his canoe was laden

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

The chief refused the white man's offer
And vowedthe white man should not have her

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

One da a ship sailed up the river
A d brought the chief a strong firewater

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

He sold the chief some firewater,
And stole the gal across the water

Oh, Missouri, she#s a mighty water
Away you rolling river!
The redskin camp lies on her border
Away we're bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri!

Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
I'll take her sailing 'cross the water

Overall Meaning

The song "Shenandoah" is a traditional American folk song, with origins tracing back to the early 19th century. The song is believed to have originated among the Canadian and American lumberjacks and shipyard workers along the Missouri River. The lyrics of the song depict a story where a white man falls in love with a Native American warrior's daughter named Shenandoah. The song narrates the story of how the white man tries to win her love and marry her. But unfortunately, the Native American chief refuses his offer, and the white man becomes desperate to have her. In the end, he buys whiskey and trades it to the chief, who becomes intoxicated, and while the chief is in a state of inebriation, the white man steals Shenandoah across the Missouri River.

The song also talks about the power and strength of the Missouri River, which flows through different landscapes, borders the redskin's camp, and goes wide across the Missouri plains. The river is a symbol of change and the journey towards new experiences. The song captures the emotions and spirit of the early American settlers, who were fearless and restless in their quest for new adventures.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Missouri, she's a mighty water
The Missouri river is powerful and grand

Away you rolling river!
You keep on flowing

The redskin camp lies on her border
Native American settlement is near the riverbank

Away we're bound to go
We are going on a journey

'Cross the wide Missouri!
We are going across the river

Oh, Shenandoah was a redskin maiden
Shenandoah was a Native American girl

And a white man loved that redskin maiden
A white man was in love with Shenandoah

The white man loved the Indian maiden
The man was deeply in love with the girl

With tradegoods his canoe was laden
He brought gifts to offer her

The chief refused the white man's offer
The tribal leader rejected the man's proposal

And vowedthe white man should not have her
The chief promised to protect the girl