Sorry to come late to this discussion of the song Shenandoah, but this is my take on the story.

A VERSION OF SHENANDOAH There are, as is well known, many versions of this song. My version of Shenandoah attempts to conflate certain traditions. (1) Shenandoah is named as a river in most of the traditional songs. So I have kept this tradition. It's the Shenandoah river that is addressed and longed for, even in departure from it. (2) Shenandoah was also reported as the name of the Indian chief who was father of the daughter in the song. So one verse recognizes that. (3) The song tells of a departure that can't be avoided. (4) There is no reason given in the traditional ballad for crossing the wide Missouri. In my version, we have given a reason, namely, that the young man had to make his fortune elsewhere. (5) Most traditional versions leave the ending up in the air. One version speaks of the hero being a "rover." In this version, the young man and his lady love return to the beloved Shenandoah valley after he has made his fortune further West. This is somewhat of a similar sequence to that of Danny Boy.

Old traditional songs take on new life repeatedly. It has been so with "Greensleaves" and similar tunes. Whatever the history, whatever the versions, we can have our own shot at keeping them alive. So here is my version:

SHENANDOAH

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Look away, my rollin' river.
Oh, Shenandoah, I would be near you:
Look away, we're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.

Chief Shenandoah, beside the water,
Look away, you rollin' river.
Chief Shenandoah, I love your daughter:
Look away, we're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, we're bound to leave you,
Look away, you rollin' river.
Oh, Shenandoah, we won't deceive you:
Look away, we're bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, we'll do some tradin',
Look away, our rollin' river.
Oh, Shenandoah, we'll come back laden:
Look away, we're bound your way,
'Cross the wide Missouri.

Oh, Shenandoah, we love your valley,
Look away, our rollin' river.
Oh, Shenandoah, we will not dally
Look away, we will not stay
'Cross the wide Missouri.

Version by John Hoad
3.30.03