Wow! I've had a ball reading through this thread today. I've recently discovered this melody (yes, I live a secluded life) and have recently been looking fervently for a definitive version of the lyrics. However, I have had no luck in such a search until I found this thread. Here I found a bunch of variants and I picked versions and stanzas that struck my fancy. After much borrowing and stealing and adding my own interpretation of the story I came up with the following lyrics. Nothing earthshattering here but I like this one a lot. I do it in couplets with breaks in between. My $.02: Now the Missouri is a mighty river Away, you rolling river And you'll find Indian camps along her border Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri 'Twas there I fell in love with a beautiful keegsquaw Away, you rolling river She was the daughter of Chief Shenandoah Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri It's been seven years since first I knew her Away, you rolling river Now she's in full bloom for a man to woo her Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, I've come to see you Away, you rolling river Oh Shenandoah, may I speak with you Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Away, you rolling river I want to take her 'cross yon rolling water Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, with gifts I'm laden Away, you rolling river Please give me the hand of this fair maiden Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri Then Shenandoah said you must forsake her Away, you rolling river For an Indian brave has come to take her Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, I'll not deceive you Away, you rolling river Farewell my love I'm bound to leave you Away, I'm bound away 'Cross the wide Missouri
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