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Should 'O Shenandoah' be the state song of Virginia?
by Cindy Rinker
Last week we asked you if the song ‘O Shenandoah’ should be the state song of Virginia. 53 percent of you said no.
Yes, I think. I can't imagine a more beautiful song being written for the state song, or an existing song ever garnering the recognition already given to 'O Shenandoah.' Would it be possible to request and acquire the right to add a verse pertaining to the Shenandoah Valley?
I think that you should go to http://virginiasong.suzannemcdermott.com/ and listen to Suzanne McDermott's ‘Carry Me Back to the Beautiful’ which is a magnificent song that, in fact, mentions Shenandoah. It far surpasses any other song about Virginia I have ever heard, and I think that I've heard them all. Read these lyrics!
Carry Me Back to the Beautiful
To the place where lovers meet
Where the ghosts of our beginnings
Linger over every street
Red clay and wild horses
Mountains, farms, rivers and sea
Where would you rather be than
In Virginia?
Carry Me Back
to the Beautiful
Carry Me Back
to the Beautiful
Carry me back to a place in time
Carry me back for peace of mind
Where the spirit is set free
Through the landscape and history
Nowhere I’d rather be than
In Virginia
Sail with shore birds on Chesapeake
Touch heaven from Skyline Drive
Roll through Shenandoah
Watch Williamsburg come alive
Washington and Jefferson
Madison and Monroe
All fell in love with
Beautiful Virginia
Carry Me Back
to the Beautiful
Carry Me Back
to the Beautiful
Carry me back to a place in time
Carry me back for peace of mind
Where the spirit is set free
Through the landscape and history
Nowhere I’d rather be than
In Virginia
©2005 Suzanne McDermott/Drexel Road Music
(ASCAP) All Rights Reserved
No. I think that it’s a wonderful song, but needs life, a life that tells about the history and blood shared to protect it, something bold and daring but also something that will let colors run. We need strength in our flags - boldness in our songs
No. Why do some people think it is alright to keep changing history, soon nothing will be what it was meant to be.
Yes. But, to tell the truth, I really don't care about a state song, by the way there was nothing wrong with the old song. I only wish our legislators would set their minds on important things that face the citizens of Virginia instead of these 'feel-good' things. Yesterday, I heard a very applicable statement on Fox News. The comment was that the State of the Union message could have been shortened to seven words -- "Get off your , and do something". This could just as well apply to the Virginia politicians.
No. Although it is an absolutely beautiful song, it is not about Virginia. Even if it is about the Shenandoah River, it is not about Virginia as a whole. I think they need to keep looking for a new song.
No. I love the song, but would like to hear something about Virginia in the tune. I'm sure the other folk's in the tidewater area, and southern Virginia would like the same.
NO to Shenandoah!
NO!!!
No. Empathically NO... as noted the song, though adopted and loved by many in Va., is actually about the Missouri River and the Shenandoah of song is the Indian Chief', whose daughter is loved...Being of French and American Indian heritage, I have long been interested in this song. Following is some data I had discovered in my researched:
Turns out that if "Shenandoah" belongs in any geographic tome, it should be filed under "Missouri River." In the song Shenandoah is the name of an Indian chief, not the river valley in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia.
The song originated with French voyageurs or Missouri River boatmen. It was soon claimed by high-seas sailors and became one of the best known and most frequently used of the capstan shanties. In its earliest version the song tells the story of how a white trader courted Shenandoah's daughter and bore her away in his canoe. The sailors added their own words and a several unassociated verses and what we have now is mostly nonsense. As Pete Seeger says in his introduction to the song in AMERICAN FAVORITE BALLADS (1961), "Why should this favorite sea shanty concern an Indian chief, and a midwestern river? And why does everyone love it so and refuse to change it?"
Here is the way Bob Dylan sings it:: Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you Look away, you rollin' river Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri Now the Missouri is a mighty river Look away, you rollin' river. Indians camp along her border Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri Well a white man loved an Indian maiden Look away, you rollin' river With notions his canoe was laden Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Look away, you rollin' river It was for her I'd cross the water. Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri For seven long years I courted Sally Look away, you rollin' river Seven more years I longed to have her Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri Well, it's fare-thee-well, my dear, I'm bound to leave you Look away you rollin' river Shenandoah, I will not deceive you Look away, we're bound away Across the wide Missouri
We have a plethora of famous singers and songwriters from Virginia and it would be best to commission or hold a contest to have a "NEW SONG" created...
"Valley Views/You Be the Judge" is an entertainment feature on Shenandoah.com and Community Cable Channel 3. The views expressed on "Valley Views/You Be The Judge" are not necessarily those of Shentel or its employees. Responses posted on "Valley Views/You Be the Judge" may be edited and the results of any survey or opinion poll should not be viewed as being scientific."
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More stories on Shenandoah.com:
 (MASSANUTTEN REGIONAL LIBRARY)
- Yesterday
(Bluemont Concert Series)
- Wednesday Jul 28 2010
(Woodstock Enhancement Committee)
- Wednesday Jul 28 2010
(Virginia Farm Bureau)
- Wednesday Jul 28 2010
(The Warren Sentinel)
- Monday Nov 30 2009
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