Shenandoah is one of the most loved Sea Songs or Shanties ever.. Sung slowly as a capstan shanty, or just as a forebitter to relax and entertain, with loving thoughts of girls ashore.... Barry has the right point in his post above. One technical point from an "Old Salt" this was also a "warping shanty". Before ships could leave dock and set sails, they were "Warped" out into river, by hauling slowly on hawsers laid out on the piers to turn the ship around. This was how they were pulled out of dock into main channel before setting sail or taking a tug; on some ships large oars called "Sweeps" were used to assist. Sometimes ships boats towed them round to a position where sails could be set. The men would be leaving loved ones, and usually suffering hangovers, which accounts for the slowness of the shanty; as well as its melancholy tone. Yours, Aye. Dave