Oh Shenandoah!

In early June, my husband and I traveled to the Shenandoah Valley. Harrisonburg. Staunton. Charlottesville. We had lived there for nearly 5 years and loved everything about it. People were warm and welcoming to us, and we now have many friends there. The weather is terrific...4 distinct seasons with long, lingering springs and autumn...and winters typically see 2 or 3 snowfalls (that melt within a couple of days). Breweries. Wineries. Splendid hiking in the Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive. Fabulous restaurants.

The main thing that brought us back to Northeast Ohio was the quality of healthcare. For us, Ohio was significantly better (and I say that knowing that it was a doctor in Washington, D.C. who saved my husband’s life when he had a major heart attack and 5 cardiac arrests while traveling in DC in 2015).

This year—while we were in Virginia—I kept saying to my husband: “Carry me back to Old Virginia” and “I left my heart in Virginia” and “why don’t we move back to Virginia?” And I kept playing various versions of the song Shenandoah on YouTube (including this version by Bruce Springsteen).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKI5_IRVeDM

BUT—as it turns out—this song is not about the Shenandoah Valley (or River). It has to do with fur trappers in the 1800s who traveled down the Missouri River in canoes. Some think the song is about a trapper who fell in love with and wanted to marry the daughter of the Oneida Chief Shenandoah.

The song morphed over the years into a sea shanty that was sung by sailors in different parts of the world. There also is a Caribbean version and other versions with different lyrics.

It was recorded in 1906 by Englishman Charles Rosher. It was recorded again by Paul Robeson in the 1930s (apparently, he recorded several versions). Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded it in 1959. And it was featured in a 1965 movie (titled Shenandoah) starring Jimmy Stewart. It also was featured in the limited TV series The Newsroom and House of Cards.

The history of the song is interesting but it does not matter (much) to me. Oh Shenandoah will always make me think of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and my many happy memories from living there.

Oh Shenandoah...I long to see you...away, you rolling river...