Shenandoah

SHENANDOAH is one of America’s most popular folk songs. It is a capstan (or “short haul”) chanty of American origin whose subject is said to be the Valley of the Shenandoah (between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains) and the great Indian chieftain after whom both the valley and the river were named. American cavalrymen sang it, and it became a rowing song sung on midwestern rivers. This fine orchestral setting by Albert Davis of “Shenandoah” captures the rich folk quality inherent in this lovely melodic song.