Shenandoah
The Petersens Lyrics
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'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
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
Ooo...
Doo doo ooo...
Ahh...
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 Petersens's song Shenandoah is a ballad that speaks of the singer's longing to see the Shenandoah River, that flows through Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, and is a tributary of the Potomac River. The lyrics reminisce about the love for the river and the valley, with the singer expressing a deep-rooted connection to the landscape, and referring to Shenandoah as "my native valley."
The song touches on themes of homesickness, love, and wanderlust. The lyrics in the chorus express a longing to see the river again and mentions crossing the Missouri River, which could be interpreted as the singer being away, with the Missouri River being used as an allegory for a journey, with the singer crossing it to return home.
The song, originally a sea shanty, has no definitive version or author, and it has been sung by various individuals and groups across the world. Commonly recognized as a folk song, Shenandoah has been covered by numerous musicians in different genres over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
'Oh Shenandoah', I miss you dearly
'Way, you rolling river
Along the path of the river, it flows endlessly
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you
'Oh Shenandoah', I yearn to reunite
'Way, I'm bound away
I am destined to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
Traversing through the vast terrain of Missouris's expanse
Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
'Oh Shenandoah', I adore her offspring
'Way, you rolling river
The river rolls onward, a representation of time
For her I cross your roaming waters
In the pursuit of love, I will cross any water to be with her
Away
Far away from my native soil
I'm bound away
My destination is forward, with no turning back
'Cross the wide Missouri
Traveling through the vast expanse of Missouri
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
It has been a great number of years since we were last together
And hear your roaming river
And listened to the sound of the river rolling on
'Tis seven long years since last I've seen you
It has been seven long years that seem like forever
Away
Venturing further from home
We're bound away
Leaving our past behind and focusing on the horizon
'Cross the wide Missouri
Moving forward through the vast terrain of Missouri
Ooo...
The sound of yearning and sadness
Doo doo ooo...
The distant melody of a beloved land
Ahh...
A deep sigh of yearning and longing
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
'Oh Shenandoah', my homeland and place of origin
'Way, you rolling river
The never-ending river that flows through the valley
Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley
'Oh Shenandoah', my beloved and cherished homeland
Away
Leaving my birthplace behind
We're bound away
Continuing forward towards a new future
'Cross the wide Missouri
Traveling through Missouri, leaving the past behind
Writer(s): Traditional Song
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Liz.Newton
LYRICS - Shenandoah
------------
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
The Missouri, she's a mighty river
Look away rollin' river
Indians camp along her borders
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well, a white man, he loved an Indian maiden
Look away rollin' river
And with notions, his canoe was laden
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
And he said, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Look away rollin' river
And it was for her, I crossed the waters
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well, it's fair-thee-well*, I'm bound to leave you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
(Shenandoah, I long to see you) x3
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
(Shenandoah) x3
Oh Shenandoah
* Fair-thee-well = farewell
Turn on captions (CC) to see the lyrics on screen
Album: https://li.sten.to/shenandoah
@GoddyLee
First song I listen from this lovely band.
Back in the day I used to listen to John Denver. It's all I have heard off of this musical genre.
Since yesterday I have been hearing to this tune over and over. So far I may be around 50 replays.
Lead voice is subtle, wonderful, awesome.
What they create altogether is superb.
Each instrument is so well played. I have enjoyed specially the guitar, the banjo and the dobro.
The musical arrangements are so masterfuly ellaborated; I can recognize when a bassist is in charge of the harmonic base writing.
The voices in the chorus blend together beautifully.
Another thing and maybe one of the most important is that it is evident and notorious that all of them are enjoying themselves while playing. Such a lovely atmosphere amongst all of them.
@Liz.Newton
LYRICS - Shenandoah
------------
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
The Missouri, she's a mighty river
Look away rollin' river
Indians camp along her borders
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well, a white man, he loved an Indian maiden
Look away rollin' river
And with notions, his canoe was laden
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
And he said, Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Look away rollin' river
And it was for her, I crossed the waters
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Well, it's fair-thee-well*, I'm bound to leave you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Look away rollin' river
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Look away, I'm bound away
Across the wide Missouri
(Shenandoah, I long to see you) x3
Oh Shenandoah, I long to hear you
(Shenandoah) x3
Oh Shenandoah
* Fair-thee-well = farewell
Turn on captions (CC) to see the lyrics on screen
Album: https://li.sten.to/shenandoah
@josegenaroriveraloanzon
Thanks, Liz!
@Roberto-pd8vn
@@Liz.Newton Thanks Liz! As always, everything's perfect!! 👍
@Sooch694
Ha ha great captions in the outro. People who don't use captions are missing out on all your little gems Liz! Thank you for another outstanding job. Proving again that talented humans are way better (and funnier) than bots. God bless you girl
@Sooch694
@@Roberto-pd8vn Perfect is right my friend, Ellen looks like the baby is due any second!!
@NathanRobinson-cy2ln
Thanks for always find lyrics.
@Leo-lj6vs
I don't live in the USA but when I hear wholesome music like this it reminds of the old America, the one I grew up with. Can we please rewind the clock? Please.
@Hook2008
Working on it!
@robsawalker
A little island of love and joy in our troubled world. Thank-you, Petersens!
@a320guy9
Great version guys!