leenia, it is not necessary to "nevermind the geography" in order to inquire about the tune.

Unless, of course, one is only interested in the music, and not the history that informs the lyrics.

Nothing wrong in being only interested in the music, but pretty rude to dismiss some one who is providing information about the history and lore that informs the song.

The French Broad is, to me, a rather startling river. I've done a little paddling on it. One doesn't generally expect to encounter such a broad river, at least in substantial sections, flowing through the the Appalachian mountains. Had a huge impact on migratory patterns of European immigrants.   Combined with the Great Valley of Virginia, the two routes funneled to different migratory waves of Europeans into, and then over and on west and south, of the Appalachian mountains. The first wave, pre-Revolution, was a mix of Welsh, English, and Scots, Scots-Irish and German. The second wave, about 20 years prior to the Civil War, included many Irish, as well as Welsh and Germans.

The impact on the Cherokee, as well as the Muscogee (aka Creek) Indians, in addition to some lesser known tribes of both waves was profound, but the second immigration of Europeans had the most detrimental impact - it was that wave that built the final critical mass and will to attempt to completely drive out Native American cultures from the southeast mountains.