“Oh Shenandoah” (also called simply “Shenandoah” or “Across the Wide Missouri”) is chosen by the members of The Western Writers of America as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time. It is an American folk song of uncertain origin in the early 19th century. Like most folk songs, there are several different variations and versions, and it is difficult to tell the song’s exact origin. The song has usually been sung as a sea shanty.
The song first appeared in writing as “Shenadore” in The New Dominion Monthly in April 1876. The author, Capt. Robert Chamblet Adams stated that he first heard the song around 1850. The lyrics tell the story of a canoeing voyageur, or fur trader, who was in love with the daughter of Oneida Iroquois chief Shenandoah who lived in the central New York state town of Oneida Castle.
The earliest version of the song most likely started with early French Canadian voyageurs who traded with Native Americans around the Great Lakes starting in the 16th century. They gave weapons, tools, and money in exchange for animal furs, especially beaver pelts. They oftentimes sang while they paddled their canoes along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, including Missouri, in the quest for furs.
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Popular Recordings
A lot of artists has covered the song but the most notable versions are recorded by the following artists:
- Paul Robeson
- Jerry Garcia
- Bruce Springsteen
- Roger McGuinn
- Tennessee Ernie Ford
- Pete Seeger
- The Kingston Trio
- Jo Stafford
- Harry Belafonte
- Tony Rice
- Tom Waits with Keith Richards
- Tennessee Ernie Ford
Other Titles for Oh Shenandoah
These are the titles the song are known for:
- Shenandoah
- Oh Shenandoah
- Across the Wide Missouri
Modern Usage of The Song
- The song has been popularized in local organizations such as Shenandoah University, Southern Virginia University, Washington and Lee University, and the Virginia Military Institute.
- In 2015 the Virginia Legislature designated “Our Great Virginia” which uses the melody of “Shenandoah” as the official traditional state song of Virginia.
- The song is featured in the soundtrack of the 1965 movie Shenandoah, starring Jimmy Stewart.
- It is heard repeatedly in 1947’s Mourning Becomes Electra, and as part of a medley in the 1962 film How the West Was Won.
- The choir arrangement of the song has also been used in the films The Good Shepherd (film) and Nixon (film).
- In the HBO television series The Newsroom, season 3, episode 5, “Oh Shenandoah”, the song was used.
- In the Netflix TV series House of Cards, season 1, chapter 8, the main character and his friends performed the song.
Listen (Paul Robeson Version)
Oh Shenandoah/Across The Wide Missouri Lyrics
Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, you rolling river Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, I'm bound to go 'Cross the wide Missouri Shenandoah, I took a notion Away, you rolling river To sail across the stormy ocean Away, I'm bound to go 'Cross the wide Missouri 'Tis seven long years since last I see thee Away, you rolling river 'Tis seven long years since last I see thee Away, I'm bound to go 'Cross the wide Missouri Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, you rolling river Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, I'm bound to go 'Cross the wide Missouri
