He is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. During his collegiate years he co-founded UO's premier men's a cappella group “On the Rocks” and most recently appeared with the group on NBC's The Sing-Off. When Peter isn't off performing or recording collegiate a cappella and works out of his home studio, Peter Hollens Productions.
Peter Hollens has been involved with music throughout the Northwest and beyond performing in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theatre in NYC. Originally from Ashland, Peter graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal performance, where he co-founded the U of O's award-winning male a cappella group On the Rocks. Since his time with the group he has become very involved with collegiate a cappella, recording, producing & judging international competitions both along the West Coast and in New York City.
Shenandoah
Peter Hollens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'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 of Peter Hollens's song Shenandoah are deeply nostalgic and express the longing of someone who has been away from his home for seven long years. The song opens with a yearning for Shenandoah, a rolling river that is the symbol of the singer's home. The phrase "I'm bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri" indicates that the singer has been away from his home for several years and is now travelling back to his native place. The opening lines express the singer's deep affection for the place he still calls home.
The second verse of the song expresses the singer's love for Shenandoah's daughter. The flowing river and its daughter symbolize the beauty of the place and all the memories that the singer has left behind. The line "for her I cross your roaming waters" indicates that the singer is willing to go through any hardship to see his loved one again. The final verse of the song reminds us that Shenandoah is the singer's native valley, and even after being away for seven years, he feels an intense bond with the place.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the power of place and the deep emotional connections we have with the places we call home. The river symbolizes the enduring connection between the physical place and our emotional bonds with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
I yearn to see you, Oh Shenandoah
'Way, you rolling river
Oh, the way you roll, you river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
I still long to see you, Oh Shenandoah
'Way, I'm bound away
But I am departing from you, right now
'Cross the wide Missouri
Going across the broad Missouri river
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Oh Shenandoah, I love your young lady
'Way, you rolling river
Oh, the way you roll, you river
For her I cross your roaming waters
I will cross your wandering waters for her
Away
Leaving
I'm bound away
I am bound to leave
'Cross the wide Missouri
Across the broad Missouri river
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
It has been seven long years since I last saw you
And hear your roaming river
And hear your river that wanders
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
It has been seven long years since I last saw you
Away
Leaving
We're bound away
We are bound to leave
'Cross the wide Missouri
Across the broad Missouri river
Ooh
Sound of amazement
Doo doo ooo
Vocals
Ah
Sound of realization
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
Oh, Shenandoah is where I am from
'Way, you rolling river
Oh, the way you roll, you river
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
Oh, Shenandoah is where I am from
Away
Leaving
We're bound away
We are bound to leave
'Cross the wide Missouri
Across the broad Missouri river
Lyrics © 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
@dear.brubru
Woohoo!
I have the lyrics already here!
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
'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
For her I cross your roaming waters
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
@PeterHollens
My favorite folk song I've ever released just hit 1,000,000 views!!! Who says you have to cover pop music to get people to listen to your music? YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING THANK YOU!!!
@wilbeugre
That song has become my favourite too :-)
@Gawain451
I like parting glass better, but this is a close second. Well done on all your music. :)
@loveheart1719
cool
@renoray01
That's amazing Peter Hollens that is one of my favorite songs
@IsabelaKing
Did this for a recital...not nearly as good as you, *****! :)
@michaeljay9019
My grandpa loved this song. Its why I love it. I lost him, the man who raised me, in 1982. I was 14. We would sit by the Allegheny, and it was our Shenandoah. Now I'm a grandpa. Gramps I miss you still. I am grateful that you taught me to be a gramps just by watching the way you lived.
@mindyhammons-bristow
I learned how to be a grandma from my own Grandma. I know what you mean. I miss her every single day. I lost her when I was 31.
@michaeljay9019
@@mindyhammons-bristow giant hug
@mindyhammons-bristow
@@michaeljay9019 thank you! Right back to you!