The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #160815 Message #4135544
Posted By: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
06-Feb-22 - 12:57 PM
Thread Name: Singing 'Shenandoah' for Brits
Subject: RE: Singing 'Shenandoah' for Brits
Pronunciation aside, unless a sailor spelled it out for him, “Shanandore” was the author's spelling:
“...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.”
Best I can figure, it's mid-1800s American pop vernacular. The only other place I can find it so far it is Major Smith's Letters (1864)(aka: Seba Smith)