Songwriting for Kids: Listening Room

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This is probably one of the most popular and well-known American folk songs of all time. It’s a beautiful story about a seaman who falls in love with the daughter of Shenandoah, a Native American chief who lives by the Missouri River. The seaman stays in the village for a while, but eventually, has to continue his journey and leave his love behind.

This story, like “Red River Valley,” gives us a glimpse of what life was like during the years when explorers and settlers were traveling through the American West. There was a strong and constant desire to keep moving, keep searching for a better place, even if it meant leaving behind people that you loved.

"Shenandoah" was traditionally considered to be a sea shanty, but it lacks the lively rhythm typical of shanties, and many now believe it was a land song long before it went to sea. It is said to date back to at least the 1820’s. Here are the lyrics (note that this song doesn't have the typical Verse/Chorus form...instead of a chorus, there are lines that repeat in each verse):

Verse 1:
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Away, you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you
Away, I'm bound away
Cross the wide Missouri

Verse 2:
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Away, I'm bound away
Cross the wide Missouri

Verse 3:
Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Away, you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you
Away, I'm bound away
Cross the wide Missouri

Verse 4:
Oh Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away, you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah, I'm bound to leave you
Away, I'm bound away
Cross the wide Missouri