John, as I read it "1854" is not a year reference but simply the number of the bib entry.

An early text of "Shenandoah" was noted by the American journalist Januarius A. MacGahan on board the Pandora in 1875. MacGahan heard the song as the Pandora raised anchor to depart Beechey Island, Canada, site of the graves of three of Lord Franklin's crew. Some of it clearly seems improvised. The unusual chorus sounds kind of "literary," but presumably it's what they sang:

"Oh, Shanadoa, I longs to hear you.
(Chorus) Ha ! Ha ! the rolling water.
Oh, Shanadoa, I longs to hear you.
(Chorus) Ho ! Ho ! the cold, pale water.

[Similarly:]
"Oh, Shanadoa, I've seen your daughter....

"Oh, Shanadoa, I loves your daughter.....

"When I return, I'll wed your daughter....

"For seven years, I've woo'd your daughter....

"Oh, Shanadoa, where is your daughter ?...

"Oh, Shanadoa, beneath the water....

"Oh, Shanadoa, there lies your daughter...."

(From Dale L. Walker, "Januarius MacGahan," Ohio U. Press, 1988, p. 155.)