What is the backstory of the song Shenandoah?

“Shenandoah” is an American folk song dating back to the early 19th century and is believed to have originated from French travelers journeying down the Missouri River. It was printed in the April 1876 issue of The New Dominion Monthly in an article titled “Sailor Songs,” by Captain Robert Chamblet Adams.

Where is Shenandoah from?

Derived from the Algonquian schind-han-do-wi, the literal translation of which has been thought to be “spruce stream,” “great plains,” or “beautiful daughter of the stars.” The name of a river and valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Virginia, Shenandoah was popularized as a given name by the folk song ” …

Where did American folk ballads originate from?

Early American folk music Most songs of the Colonial and Revolutionary periods originated in England, Scotland and Ireland and were brought over by early settlers. “Barbara Allen” remains a popular traditional ballad originating in England and Scotland, which immigrants introduced to the United States.

Who is the arranger of Shenandoah?

Shenandoah — Sarah Rimkus, Composer.

Was Shenandoah an Indian chief?

John Skenandoa (/ˌskɛnənˈdoʊə/; c. 1706 – March 11, 1816), also called Shenandoah (/ˌʃɛnənˈdoʊə/) among other forms, was an elected chief (a so-called “pine tree chief”) of the Oneida. He was born into the Iroquoian-speaking Susquehannocks, but was adopted into the Oneida of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Is Shenandoah an Irish name?

Today’s word is “Shenandoah.” Hundreds of years ago a Native American chief named Shenandoah lived with his tribes in what is now the state of Virginia. Little is known about Shenandoah, but in some way, the soft sound of his name was given to a river. It is a slow moving river, soft and as beautiful as its name.

What Native American tribes lived in the Shenandoah Valley?

The tribes occupying the Shenandoah Valley in the long period prior to the arrival of English settlements include the Iroquois (also called the Six Nations) and Shawnee nations as well as the Catawba and Cherokee nations of the south and the Delaware and Susquehannock nations of the north.

Why did people start singing American folk?

Music for the people Folk music first appeared as early as the 1920s, slowly gaining popularity during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl (from 1930-36). Everyone could relate to the songs about the struggle to find work and food, economic hardships, and the need to bond as communities.

Where does folk music originate?

The typical 21st-century conception of folk music comes from beliefs about the nature of music and musical life in the village cultures of Europe from the 18th into the 19th century; but this traditional folk music culture was affected greatly by the rise of industrial society and of cities, as well as by nationalist …

When was Shenandoah composed by Frank Ticheli?

1999
Frank Ticheli composed his setting of the folk song Shenandoah in 1999. In the score he writes: “In my setting of Shenandoah I was inspired by the freedom and the beauty of the folk melody and by the natural images invoked by the words, especially the image of a river.

What is the origin of the song Oh Shenandoah?

Oh Shenandoah. ” Oh Shenandoah ” (also called simply ” Shenandoah ” or ” Across the Wide Missouri “) is a traditional American folk song of uncertain origin, dating to the early 19th century. The song appears to have originated with Canadian and American voyageurs or fur traders traveling down the Missouri River in canoes,…

What does Shenandoah stand for?

Oh Shenandoah (also called simply Shenandoah or Across the Wide Missouri) is a traditional American folk song of uncertain origin, dating to the early 19th century.

Why are there so many versions of Shenandoah National Park songs?

Most of them were illiterate so no one wrote down the lyrics, thus there are a number of versions. Many of the lyrics refer to an Oneida Iroquois pine tree chief named Shenandoah. He lived in the central New York state town of Oneida Castle.

Where did Shenandoah live?

Many of the lyrics refer to an Oneida Iroquois pine tree chief named Shenandoah. He lived in the central New York state town of Oneida Castle. He had a lovely daughter apparently very appealing to wandering trappers and fur traders (you know what I mean).