SHENANDOAH
Van Morrison / The Chieftains Lyrics

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer deeply desires to hear the sweet sound of the Shenandoah river

Look away, you rollin' river
The singer acknowledges the river's presence but cannot look upon it for fear of becoming lost in thought

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear
The singer reiterates their longing to hear the Shenandoah, emphasizing its importance

Look away, we're bound away
The artist urges themselves and others to move away from the river and towards their destination

Across the wide Missouri.
The artist indicates the Missouri River is their next great challenge to overcome

Now the Missouri is a mighty river
The singer acknowledges the power and majesty of the Missouri, respecting the challenges it will present

Indians camp a long her border
The singer recognizes the presence of Indigenous peoples along the Missouri's border, possibly implying the need for caution

Well, a white man loved an Indian maiden
The artist tells a love story between a white man and an Indigenous woman, exposing the relationship's complexities

With notions his canoe was laden
The artist implies the white man had preconceived notions or ideas he brought with him when courting the Indigenous woman

Shenandoah, I love your daughter
The artist is addressing Shenandoah for the first time, confessing his love for a woman from the area

It was for her I'd cross the water
The singer expresses his willingness to go to great lengths, even crossing the Missouri River, in pursuit of the woman he loves

For seven long years I courted Sally
The artist has spent seven years courting his love, Sally

Seven more years I longed to have her
The singer has spent an additional seven years longing for Sally, but not yet possessing her

Well, it's fare-thee-well, my dear, I'm bound to leave you
The singer is saying goodbye to Sally, knowing he must leave her behind

Shenandoah, I will not deceive you
The singer is once again addressing Shenandoah, promising not to deceive the area or its inhabitants

Look away, we're bound away
The artist once again urges himself and others to move away from the river and towards their destination, emphasizing the need to stay focused

Across the wide Missouri.
The artist restates the goal of crossing the Missouri with a sense of determination