COLLECTED FROM GEORGE PATTISON

SHENANDOAH

Capstan
George Pattison
Cape de Couedie Lighthouse
Kangaroo Island
South Australia
4 Dec 1924 (and 1941)
Clive Carey SS411

O Shenandoah, I love your daughter
And away, your rolling river
O Shenandoah, I love your daughter
Far away, ‘cross the wild oceans

O Shenandoah across the water
Away my rolling river
O Shenandoah across the water
‘Cross the wide oceans

The ship sails free, the gale is blowing
The brace is taut, the sheet is flowing

O Shenandoah, I long to hear you
O Shenandoah, I’ll never forget you

Oh, Shenandoah has rushing waters,
Shenandoah has rushing waters

O how I love my Indian maiden
So with presents I came laden

O Shenandoah, you and I will marry
My princess, we will not tarry

This popular romanticised song probably started life on the great inland rivers of the United States of America. This version (Hugill mentions the song but does not provide text) goes further to mention an ‘Indian maiden’. The song has a peculiar time, or no time at all, with the singer making his own solo part very individualistic. The heavy stressing on the chorus refrain pertains to the rhythm dictated by the strain on rope or anchor cable.