Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
SHENANDOAH
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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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 last I saw you
Away, you rollin' river
Away I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
O Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away, you rollin' river
O Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
The lyrics to Roger McGuinn's song "Shenandoah" express nostalgia and longing for a lost love and a sense of wanderlust. The singer, whoever that may be, speaks to the Shenandoah River - a river that flows through two states - West Virginia and Virginia - and empties into the Potomac River, ultimately flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. The first stanza encapsulates the singer's desire to hear the river's song and, presumably, to return to a place or a time they associate with the Shenandoah. The river symbolizes the possibility of escape or freedom, as it rolls on and on.
The second stanza speaks to the singer's time away from the Shenandoah, emphasizing the length of seven years. The passage of time seems to intensify the longing and sentimentality involved in the singer's desire to return. The last stanza encapsulates the imminent departure of the singer as he or she crosses the wide Missouri River. The tone of the song is one of mixed emotions that ranges from longing and reminiscence to excitement and journey as suggested in the phrase "Away I'm bound to go 'cross the wide Missouri."
Line by Line Meaning
O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer deeply desires to hear the sound of the Shenandoah river.
Away, you rollin' river
The river is constantly flowing and moving away, taking the singer's attention with it.
O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer repeats their longing to hear the Shenandoah river's sound.
Away I'm bound to go
The singer is committed to traveling and moving on, leaving the river behind them.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The singer is crossing the Missouri River, indicating their journey may be long and difficult.
'Tis seven long years since last I saw you
The singer hasn't seen or heard the Shenandoah river for seven years, making their desire to hear it again even stronger.
Away, you rollin' river
The river is still flowing and moving away, reminding the singer of the passage of time and distance.
'Tis seven long years since last I saw you
The singer repeats how long it has been since they last saw or heard the river, reinforcing their longing to experience it again.
Away I'm bound to go
The singer confirms their plan to leave and continue their journey.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The singer repeats that they are crossing the Missouri River, further emphasizing the difficulty of their journey.
O Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
The singer acknowledges that they must leave the river behind them, despite their desire to stay.
Away, you rollin' river
The river continues to move and flow away, representing the inevitability of change and the passing of time.
O Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
The singer repeats their decision to leave the river behind them, indicating a sense of sadness or regret.
Away I'm bound to go
The singer reiterates their commitment to continue their journey, even though it means leaving the Shenandoah river behind.
'Cross the wide Missouri
The singer once again mentions crossing the Missouri River, symbolic of the hardships and challenges they will face on their path.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Camilla McGuinn, Roger McGuinn
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