Since the choir was established, they have managed to release 5 cds and done lots of concerts and performances. Some of the highlights of the past few years have been the Langesund International Shantyfestival, Festival Maritim in Bremen (Germany), Telemarkfestivalen in Bø and Bergenfest 2006, and they are currently doing well in Japan. Feedback from their concerts have been very good, and they think that the main reason for their “little success” is that they enjoy so much doing this, and also that they allow and encourage their guests to sing along!
Theyr mission and main directives is to bring forth a forgotten song tradition. At the same time they wish to give their audience, and themselves, a lot of fun, and experience the pleasure of salty folk music. With the old true sailors in mind, they wish to give the shanties all the power, humour and respect they deserve.
The most of their stuff is done a cappella, but they also include mandolin, flute, and guitar on some of their songs. As far as it is possible, they do their concerts without any microphones. "They did not use microphones while rounding the salty Cape Horn, so we should be able to do the same in a pub!!"
Band members: Håkon Vatle, Ronny Sætre, Rune Nesse, Vidar Vedå, Roald Kaldestad and Gisle Østrem
SHENANDOAH
Storm Weather Shanty Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away, you rollin' river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see thee
Away, we're bound to go.
Across the wide Missouri.
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rollin' river
Away, we're bound to go.
Across the wide Missouri.
Its been seven long years since last I see thee
Away, you rollin' river
Oh seven long years since last I see thee.
Away, we're bound to go.
Across the wide Missouri.
Oh, Shenandoah, I took a notion.
Away, you rollin' river.
To sell across the worst a'notion
Away I'm bound to go.
Across the wide Missouri.
Oh, Shenandoah, were bound to leave thee.
Away, you rollin' river.
Oh but Shenandoah I will not deceive thee.
Away we we're bound to go.
Across the wide Missouri.
"Shenandoah" is an American folk song that originated in the early 19th century. The lyrics are that of a sailor who is longing to see his beloved, represented as the Shenandoah River. The river takes on a symbolic meaning of home and nostalgia. In the first stanza, the singer expresses his longing to see the river by repeating the opening line "Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see thee" followed by the second line "away, you rollin' river." The next stanza reflects the singer's love for the daughter of the river. The third stanza reveals that it has been seven years since they last saw each other, which suggests the singer may have been at sea or away from home for a long time. In the final stanza, the singer talks about his desire to "sell across" which means he wants to cross to the other side of the river. The final two lines of each stanza repeat "away, we're bound to go. Across the wide Missouri" connecting the song to the Missouri River, which is a tributary of the Mississippi River.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see thee
I yearn to see Shenandoah
Away, you rollin' river
Referring to the Shenandoah river as a flowing body of water
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see thee
Expressing desire to see Shenandoah again
Away, we're bound to go
Indicating a journey away from Shenandoah
Across the wide Missouri
Crossing the Missouri River on the journey away from Shenandoah
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Expressing fondness for the daughter of the Shenandoah river
Away, you rollin' river
The Shenandoah river continues to flow
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Repeating fondness for the daughter of the Shenandoah river
Away, we're bound to go
Leaving the Shenandoah river behind
Across the wide Missouri
Crossing the Missouri River to move on from the Shenandoah river
Its been seven long years since last I see thee
It has been a significant amount of time since last seeing Shenandoah
Away, you rollin' river
The Shenandoah river continues to flow without me
Oh seven long years since last I see thee
Repeating the significant amount of time that has passed since last seeing Shenandoah
Away, we're bound to go
Leaving Shenandoah behind and moving on
Across the wide Missouri
Crossing the Missouri River to move forward
Oh, Shenandoah, I took a notion
Having a sudden idea related to Shenandoah
Away, you rollin' river
Referencing the Shenandoah river once more
To sell across the worst a'notion
Selling goods despite difficulties and challenges
Away I'm bound to go
Leaving Shenandoah to pursue this new idea
Across the wide Missouri
Once again, crossing the Missouri River on this journey
Oh, Shenandoah, were bound to leave thee
Acknowledging that it is time to leave Shenandoah behind
Away, you rollin' river
Final reference to the Shenandoah river
Oh but Shenandoah I will not deceive thee
Pledging to be honest with Shenandoah
Away we're bound to go
Leaving Shenandoah behind for good
Across the wide Missouri
Crossing the Missouri River to move on from Shenandoah
Writer(s): James Erb, . Traditional
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.