Shenandoah
Paddy Moloney Lyrics


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Oh, Shenandoah
I long to see you
Away you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah
I long to see you
Away, I'm bound away
'cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah
I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river
For her I'd cross
Your roaming waters
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

'Tis seven years
since last I've seen you
And hear your rolling river
'Tis seven years
since last I've seen you
Away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah
I long to see you
And hear your rolling river
Oh Shenandoah
I long to see you




Away, we're bound away
Across the wide Missouri

Overall Meaning

The song "Shenandoah" expresses the poignant longing for a place and person that has not been seen in a long time. The lyrics conjure up a vivid image of a rolling river and the desire to be reunited with it. The singer expresses a deep love for the river's daughter, who seems to be a symbol for the place itself. The river seems to be a portal to another time and place, and the singer's goal is to cross the river and be reunited with what was lost.


The song is sung in the first person, suggesting a personal connection to the place and person being sung about. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you" emphasizes the deep yearning that the singer feels. The use of "we" in the second verse also suggests that there are others who share this longing, perhaps further emphasizing the idea of community and connection to the place.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, Shenandoah
The singer addresses the river, Shenandoah, conveying an emotional attachment.


I long to see you
The singer desires to meet the Shenandoah in person, possibly after a long separation.


Away you rolling river
The singer acknowledges the grandiosity and the continuous flow of the river and paying tribute to its magnificence.


Oh Shenandoah
The artist reiterates their deep connection with the river, emphasizing the importance of the river to the artist.


I long to see you
The artists' message of yearning to meet Shenandoah is repeated to signify its importance.


Away, I'm bound away
The singer proclaims their readiness to leave and traverse anywhere, possibly the Missouri River.


'cross the wide Missouri
The singer plans to cross the wide Missouri river that lies ahead of them.


Oh Shenandoah
The artist reaffirms their affection to Shenandoah, honoring the river's standing in his/her life.


I love your daughter
The artist professes their love for someone related to the river, expressing their passion through this metaphor.


Away, you rolling river
The artist acknowledges the vastness and its continuous movement of the river in reference.


For her I'd cross
The singer will do anything to support his loved one in this metaphorical relationship linked with the river.


Your roaming waters
The artist acknowledges the way the river moves and expresses the impact it has on their loved one related to the river.


Away, I'm bound away
The singer reaffirms their commitment to leave their present state and set off towards their destination on the wide Missouri.


'Cross the wide Missouri
The purpose of crossing the Missouri river is to explore beyond the other side and reach a destination which lies further ahead.


'Tis seven years
The singer states the time duration from their last encounter with the river, signifying how the importance of the river has lasted for so long.


since last I've seen you
The artist points out how time has passed since their last meeting with Shenandoah, also emphasizing the artist's yearning for the river.


And hear your rolling river
The artist desires to hear the sound of the river flowing again, emphasizing their emotional connection with the river.


Away, we're bound away
The singer confirms their departure along with the people they are traveling with.


Across the wide Missouri
The singer and their comrades travel across the long Missouri river to reach their destination.




Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: CLAUDE T. SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@davidmixon7379

Dear Sissel, Thank you very much for
Your version of
Shenadoah
It is the best.
Your sound is amazingly clear
and the heartfelt
Feeling is wonderful.
I'm from California and I am living in Fairfield Iowa a university town.
I have heard all the folk singers .
Your version of Shenadoah is by far
the Best. Thank You
For the opportunity
To Hear such a
Heavenly Voice.



All comments from YouTube:

@sisselfan

See how others react when they hear Sissel perform this song.
Playlist with reaction videos of YouTube users responding to "Shenandoah": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o3Wir4CiQc&list=PLLB8qgVfx8PQiDz1axT3w8U4LSTxzt-kG

@Ozmulki

Agree. The best version ever!

@crunchy2k

Bizarre response from an Asian. What is this sisselfan in color?

@RCLA

oh this is so amazing :0))

@sisselfan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dyqL9o_Dk

@sifridbassoon

I just realized that this song is the American "Danny Boy." Both sing about someone having to leave home. So sad. So much loss. I think that as you get older, you appreciate the people in your life who are gone. Unfortunately, sometimes that can make this song excruciatingly painful. 😭

@moranplano

And very sad...but in a beautiful way.

@fsinjin60

They are both sea shanties which do not mention the sea.

@kathleenalarid1150

My son just left for the military one week ago. This song is so beautiful but still, it makes me sad.

@donloughrey1615

I've watched this many many times. Sissel is a gift from heaven. This time I shed tears when Paddy's face was shown. R.I.P. Paddy Maloney.

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