Bruce O mentioned "Shanandore" in the article, "Sailor Songs," by W. L. Alden, Harpers New Monthly Magazine, July 1882. Alden said: "One of the best known of the windlass songs was the "Shannandore." Here is his version, with his intercalated remarks.
"Solo You Shanandore, I long to hear you. Chorus Hurrah, you rollin' river! Solo You Shenandore, I long to hear you. Chorus Ah, ha, you Shenandore."
"This is clearly of negro origin, for the "Shanandore" is evidently the river Shenandoah. In course of time some shantyman of limited geographical knowledge, not comprehending that the "Shenandore" was a river, but conceiving that the first chorus required explanation, changed the second chorus. Thus the modified song soon lost all trace of the Shenandoah River, and assumed the following form, in which it was known to the last generation of sailors:"
"Solo For seven long years, I courted Sally. Chorus Hurrah, you rollin' river! Solo I courted Sally down in yon valley. Chorus Ah ha! I'm bound away on the wild Missouri."
The music is the same as that used in most collections.
W. L. Alden previously wrote a short article titled "Sea Songs," 1869, in Chambers Journal, 11 Dec. 1869, pp. 794-796, which I haven't seen.