Published On Sep 7, 2008
This is the CD version of Shenandoah by Sissel. What a beautiful voice. The origins of the song is unknown. Some lyrics 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. I have chosen this interpretation of Arlo Guthrie's version of Chief Shenandoah and the roving trader who plans to take his daughter.
Arranged and adapted by Arlo Guthrie
The Missouri, she's a might river
Away you rolling river
The red man's camp lies on her borders
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
A white man loved an Indian maiden
Away you rolling river
With notions sweet his canoe was laden
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
O Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away you rolling river
I'll take her 'cross the rolling water
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
The chief disdained the trader's dollars
Away you rolling river
My daughter never you shall follow
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
At last there came a Yankee skipper
Away you rolling river
He winked his eye, and he tipped his flipper
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
He sold the chief that fire-water
Away you rolling river
And 'cross the river he stole his daughter
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away you rolling river
Across the wide and rolling water
Away, we're bound away across the wide
Missouri
Read more: Arlo Guthrie - Shenandoah Lyrics | MetroLyrics
In the song Shenandoah is the name of an Indian chief, not the river valley in the Appalachian Mountains.
The song originated with French voyageurs or Missouri River boatmen. It was soon claimed by high-seas sailors and became one of the best known and most frequently used of the capstan shanties. In its earliest version the song tells the story of how a white trader courted Shenandoah's daughter and bore her away in his canoe. The sailors added their own words and a verse about "Sally," and what we have now is mostly nonsense.
The lyrics tell the story of a roving trader in love with the daughter of an Indian chief; the rover tells the chief of his intent to take the girl with him far to the west, across the Missouri River.
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,
I'll take her 'cross
Your rollin' water,
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.
'Tis seven years,
I've been a rover,
Away you rolling river,
When I return,
I'll be your lover,
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.
Oh Shenandoah,
I'm bound to leave you.
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah,
I'll not deceive you.
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri