Ballad of America
 songs of people who made a country
Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band
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Music

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Songs

Shenandoah
About

Shenandoah is on the album Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land
Listen
&
Download
 <a href="http://balladofamerica.bandcamp.com/track/shenandoah">Shenandoah by Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band</a>

 

About Shenandoah

Until the nineteenth century only adventurers who sought their fortunes as trappers and traders of beaver fur ventured as far west as the Missouri River. Most of these men were loners who became friendly with, and sometimes married, Native Americans.

Shenandoah is said to have originated with French voyageurs traveling down the Missouri River. The lyrics tell the story of a trader who fell in love with the daughter of an Algonquian chief, Shenandoah. American sailors heading down the Mississippi River picked up the song and made it a capstan shanty that they sang while hauling in the anchor.


Lyrics to Shenandoah

Shenandoah

O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, you rolling river
O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

Missouri, she's a mighty river
Away, you rolling river
The Indians camp along her borders
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

The white man loved an Indian maiden
Away, you rolling river
With notions his canoe was laden
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

O Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river
For her I've crossed the rolling water
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

Seven long years I courted Sally
Away, you rolling river
Seven more I longed to have her
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri

Farewell, my dear, I'm bound to leave you
Away, you rolling river
O Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri


Download Shenandoah

from
 bandcamp

  <a href="http://balladofamerica.bandcamp.com/track/shenandoah">Shenandoah by Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band</a>


or from another site:

Videos of Shenandoah

 

Part of this song is featured in the Ballad of America video overview.

Compact Disc with Shenandoah

This song is available on the compact disc:
Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land
Shenandoah is on the album Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land