Old Poetry Old Poetry Poetry Poets Essays Forums

Shenandoah

    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
    since last I saw you.
    Away you rolling river,
    'Tis seven years
    since last I saw you.
    Away, I'm bound away
    'Cross the wide Missouri.

    Oh Shenandoah,
    I love your daughter,
    Away you rolling river,
    Oh Shenandoah,
    I'll come to claim her.
    Away, I'm bound away
    'Cross the wide Missouri.

    In all these years,
    Whene'er I saw her,
    We have kept
    Our love a secret,
    Oh! Shenandoah,
    I do adore her,
    Away, I'm bound away
    'Cross the wide Missouri.

    Oh Shenandoah,
    She's bound to leave you.
    Away you rolling river,
    Oh Shenandoah,
    I'll not deceive you.
    Away, I'm bound away
    'Cross the wide Missouri.

Notes

The Official State song for the State of Virginia.
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.

More information:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cocoon/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200031152/default.html

Leave a guest comment (subject to review)

    : Comment:

    Name: (required)
    Email: (required, hidden from spam)

Comments


  • November 2, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    From guest ea (contact)
    love this song, it gíves me chills. Praise for the American songwriter.