Oh Shenandoah

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"Oh Shenandoah" (also called simply "Shenandoah", or "Across the Wide Missouri") is a traditional American folk song of uncertain origin, dating at least to the early 19th century. The song is number 324 in the Roud Folk Song Index, but is not listed amongst the Child Ballads.

History

Shenandoah was first printed^[1] as part of William L. Alden's article "Sailor Songs", in the July 1882 issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine.^[2]^[3]

The song had become popular as a sea chanty with sailors by the 1880s.^[4]

Ike Skelton, the U.S. congressman for Missouri, noted in 2005 that local artist George Caleb Bingham immortalized the jolly flatboatmen who plied the Missouri River in the early 19th century; these same flatboatmen were known for their chanties, including the lovely "Oh Shenandoah". This boatmen's song found its way down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to the American clipper ships, and thus around the world.^{[citation needed]}

Sea Songs and Shanties, Collected by W.B. Whall, Master Mariner (First edition in Nov 1910), states that the song probably originated from American or Canadian "voyageurs", who were great singers. Thomas Moore drew inspiration from them in his Canadian Boat Song. The author further goes on and states that he heard it sung over fifty years prior to publishing the book, which place its origin at least a fair bit earlier than 1860. Besides sung at sea, this song figured in old public school collections. (info taken from page one in the sixth edition of the book)

Usage

Set in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Washington & Lee University chorus singers and bands play this song in homage to their alma mater. The University names the "Washington and Lee Swing" as their fight song, but the student body, who lived in the Blue Ridge for at least four years, considers this one of their most nostalgic songs.

The Virginia Military Institute Regimental Band and Glee Club frequently perform this song, as it is widely considered that school's theme song. In this interpretation, Shenandoah refers to the home of the Virginia Military Institute and expresses the longing that a cadet experiences once he is reminded of the valley's beauty by his travels across the 'wide Missouri'.

Shenandoah is the official school song of Shenandoah University in Winchester VA, located at the north end of the valley.

The song features prominently in the soundtrack of the 1965 movie, Shenandoah, starring Jimmy Stewart, and is also heard as a part of a medley in the 1962 Cinerama film, How the West Was Won. It also appeared on the American version of House of Cards in Season 1, Episode 8, where the protagonist returns to his military alma mater in South Carolina.

Lyrics

The origin of the song is unclear, and there are many sets of lyrics.

Some lyrics may tell the story of a roving trader in love with the daughter of an Indian chief; in this interpretation, the rover tells the chief of his intent to take the girl with him far to the west, across the Missouri River. Other interpretations tell of a pioneer's nostalgia for the Shenandoah River Valley in Virginia, or of a Confederate soldier in the American Civil War, dreaming of his country home in Virginia.

The song is also associated with escaped slaves. They were said to sing the song in gratitude because the river allowed their scent to be lost.^{[citation needed]}

The Shenandoah area made many parts like wheels and seats for wagons going west. These parts were assembled in Conestoga Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and settlers set out in Conestoga wagons down the Ohio River, on the Mississippi and west up the Missouri River. Lyrics were undoubtedly added by rivermen, settlers, and the millions who went west.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to hear you,

Away you rolling river.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to hear you,

Away, I'm bound away,

'cross the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah,

I love your daughter,

Away, you rolling river.

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,

And hear your rolling river.

'Tis seven years,

since last I've seen you,

Away, we're bound away,

Across the wide Missouri.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to hear you,

And hear your rolling river.

Oh Shenandoah,

I long to hear you,

Away, we're bound away,

Across the wide Missouri.

The lyrics as given in Sea Songs and Shanties, collected by W.B. Whall, Master Mariner (1910) is as follows:

Miss-ou-ri, she's a mighty riv-er.

A - way you rolling riv-er.

The red-skins' camp, lies on its bor-ders.