Shenandoah may have been an actual Indian chief but there are versions of the shanty (chantey) that are clearly not about an Indian chief. The singer in one version in particular is simply from the Shanandoah Valley and is singing about longing for home.

From Stan Hugill's book "Shanties from the Seven Seas":

SHENANDOAH

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I long to hear you
Way ay, ay-ay-ay, Shenandoah
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I long to hear you
Way ay, ay, ay, Shenandoah

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I took myself a notion
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, to sail the stormy ocean

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I'm bound away to leave you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I will not deceive you

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, how I love yer daughters
Oh, Shenandoah, I love to hear the music of yer waters

'Tis seven years, oh Shenandoah, since I last seen you
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I will never grieve you

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, she's my native valley
Oh, Shenandoah, beside her waters I do love to dally

Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, she's a lovely river
Oh, Shenandoah, my bully boys, I never will forget you