Interesting Facts about Shenandoah C
Shenandoah C is one of the most popular of all capstan and windlass shanties, the “Shenandoah”. The interesting fact according to Stan Hugill is that no two shantymen ever sang the same pronunciation of the word “Shenandoah”. Shenandoar, Shannandore, Shanandar, and Shanidah were all used.
This version comes from Captain Frank H. Shaw’s “Splendour Of The Seas” (1953), Captan Shaw wrote:
“Perhaps the best known, certainly the favourite amongst windjammer men was ‘Shenandoah’. To hear these sweet strains floating over a placed anchorage as a crowd of half-sober men walk around the back-breaking capstan is to get the real poetry and splendour of the seas.
Even as a concert ditty the song has infinite charm. It seems to have a Negro origin because the Shenandoah river flowed through the slave-states below the Mason and Dixon Line, and whoever first sang it was obviously pinning for the delights of that considerable stream. Its composition throws an interesting sidelight on the conditions of life aboard the hard-case Yankee packets if even the slavery so poignantly described by Mrs Harriet Beecher Stowe was preferable to existence aboard these hell-and-be-damned vessels!”
The song will be reconstructed by myself as the capstan shanty.
The source of this sea shanty
The music: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 176).
The lyrics: “Shanties from the Seven Seas” by Stan Hugill (1st ed p 176).
The Record of the Shenandoah C
You also can find this record on my YouTube channel here or directly listen below. Additionally, if you want to share your opinion about the record or share your opinion you can do it in my Facebook forum here, or leave a comment at the bottom of this blog article.
The full lyrics
Shenandoah C
Oh Shenandoah, I long ter hear yer,
– Away, ye rollin’ river!
Oh Shenandoah, I long ter hear yer,
– Away we’re bound to go,
– ‘Crosst the wide Missourah!
* 2 *
O Shenandoah, I took a notion,
To sail across the stormy ocean.
* 3 *
O Shenandoah, I’m bound ter leave yer,
O Shenandoah, I’ll not deceive yer.
* 4 *
O Shenandoah, I love yer daughters,
I love the music of yer waters.
* 5 *
‘Tis seven long years since last I seed yer,
But, Shenandoah, I’ll never grieve yer,
* 6 *
O Shenandoah’s my native valley,
Beside her waters I love to dally.
* 7 *
O Shenandoah she’s a lovely river,
An’ I shall never forget you ever.