SHENANDOAH 
(Traditional American Sea Shanty, circa 1825) 


Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah is my native valley. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah, it's far I wander. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah, it's far I wander. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah has rushing waters. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah has rushing waters. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughters. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah, I love your daughters. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah, I long to see you. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah, I'm boun' t' leave you. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah, I'm boun' t' leave you. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri! 

Oh, Shenandoah, I'll never grieve you. 
Aa-way, you rolling river! 
Shenandoah, I'll never grieve you. 
Ah-way, we're bound to go, 'cross th' wide Missouri!


*****


Alternate Version: 'CROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI


Oh, Shenandoah, she's a mighty river, 
'Way you rolling river, 
The whiteman loves an Indian maiden. 
Away we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.

For seven years I courted Sally, 
'Way - you rolling river, 
For seven years more I longed to have her, 
Away - we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, 
'Way you rolling river, 
oh, Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you, 
away - we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.

Oh, seven years I've been a rover, 
'way - you rolling river, 
For seven years I've been a rover, 
Away - we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.

The white man loved the Indian maiden, 
'Way - you rolling river, 
With notions his canoe was laden, 
Away - we're bound away, 'cross the wide Missouri.