The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #19536   Message #4058638
Posted By: GUEST,Radriano
10-Jun-20 - 01:23 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Shenandoah
Subject: Lyr Add: SHENANDORE / SHENANDOAH
Hi Deadhorse,

The verse you quoted is from John Short's version of the song. According to him, on most American ships they would sing "Shanadore" - and I don't see any rudeness to that line. It's quite charming with no rude words at all.

I find John Short's songs very interesting as he was singing decades before Stan Hugill so his songs represent earlier versions of shanties. Short's version of Shanadore is half the standard Shenandoah verses and half Sally Brown verses. Short's version also uses "wild Missouri" instead of "Western Ocean."

SHANADORE
From Short Sharp Shanties, Sea Songs of a Watchet Sailor, Volume 2

Solo: Oh, Shanadore, I long to hear you
Chorus: Hooray, you rolling river
Solo: Shanadore, I can't get near you
Chorus: Aha, I'm bound away on the wild Missouri

Shanadore, I love your daughter
I love the place she makes her water

I'm bound away, I cannot stay
I'm bound away for Mobile Bay

I'm bound away for Bristol City
Where the girls they are so pretty

Seven long years I courted Sally
Seven long years I could not gain her

She said I was a tarry sailor
Oh Sally Brown, I'll never grieve ya

I gave her gold, I gave her silver
When she rolls down her topsails quiver

Farewell, my dear, I"m bound to leave you
I'm bound away but I'll ne'er deceive you