shenandoah
The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale Lyrics
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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,
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,
Away, you rolling river.
'Tis seven years
since last I've seen you,
Away, we're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hear you,
Away, we're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri
The song "Shenandoah" is a folk song that has become a staple of American music. The lyrics express a deep longing to see and hear the Shenandoah River, which flows through the Appalachian Mountains. The song is about a man who wishes to visit Shenandoah, and he is willing to go great distances to reach the river. The words "Away, you rolling river" and "Away, I'm bound away" indicate that he is willing to leave behind his current location to find the river.
The second stanza refers to the man's love for the daughter of the Shenandoah River. He is willing to cross the roaming waters to be with her. The repetition of the phrase "Away, I'm bound away" indicates that his love for her will take him to great lengths to be with her.
In the final stanza, the man expresses his longing to hear the Shenandoah River. The phrase "away, we're bound away" also indicates that he is not alone, but traveling with others who share his desire to reach the river. Throughout the song, the lyrics express a deep longing and reverence for the natural beauty of the Shenandoah River.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Shenandoah,
Addressing the river Shenandoah respectfully
I long to see you,
Expressing a deep desire to visit the river
Away you rolling river.
Describing the flow of the river
Oh Shenandoah,
Addressing the river Shenandoah again
I long to see you,
Reiterating the deep desire to visit the river
Away, I'm bound away
Indicating readiness to leave for the river
'Cross the wide Missouri.
Referring to the journey across the Missouri River to reach Shenandoah
Oh Shenandoah,
Addressing the river Shenandoah once more
I love your daughter,
Expressing an affectionate bond with the river's daughter (possibly a nearby town or region)
Away, you rolling river.
Describing the river again
For her I'd cross
Indicating willingness to undertake a journey for the sake of the loved one
Your roaming waters,
Referring to the unpredictable or constantly moving nature of the river's flow
Away, I'm bound away
Stating once again readiness to depart for the river and its surroundings
'Cross the wide Missouri.
Reiterating the reference to the journey across the Missouri River to reach Shenandoah
'Tis seven years
Referring to a period of time since the river was last visited
since last I've seen you,
Clarifying the meaning of the previous line
Away, you rolling river.
Once again describing the river's movement
'Tis seven years
Reiterating the period of time since the previous visit
since last I've seen you,
Confirming the previous message
Away, we're bound away
Stating readiness to embark on the journey again
'Cross the wide Missouri.
Referring again to the route across the Missouri River
Oh Shenandoah,
Addressing the river Shenandoah one final time
I long to hear you,
Expressing a desire to listen to the river's sounds or music
Away, you rolling river.
Concluding with one last reference to the river's continuous movement
Oh Shenandoah,
Ending as it began, with a respectful address to the river
I long to hear you,
Clarifying the final message, reiterating a desire to listen to the river
Away, we're bound away
Repeating the sentiment of readiness to start the journey
'Cross the wide Missouri.
Final reference to the river crossing that must be made
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.