Shenandoah

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Melody -
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Capstan Shanty

O Shenandoah! I long to hear you,
Way-aye, you rolling river
Across that wide and rolling river.
Away, we're bound away
'cross the wide Missouri!

O Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Way-aye, you rolling river
I'll take her 'cross yon rolling water
Away, we're bound away
'cross the wide Missouri!

For seven years I courted Sally,
Way-aye, you rolling river
For seven more I longed to have her
Away, we're bound away
'cross the wide Missouri!

She said she would not be my lover
Way-aye, you rolling river
Because I was a tarry sailor
Away, we're bound away
'cross the wide Missouri!

At last there came a Yankee skipper
Way-aye, you rolling river
He winked his eye, and he tipped his flipper
Away, we're bound away
'cross the wide Missouri!

There are many variations to this song. This is due to the uncertainty of who or what Shenandoah is. Some variations have all kinds of verses that make Shenandoah an Indian Chief; others point to geographical references. I like this one because it talks about something near and dear to every sailor's heart - a women and water.

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