The Shenandoah Valley and the Shenandoah River are located in Virginia. The origin of the name for this river and valley is obscure as are the origins of the folk song.  The folk song dates back to the 19th century. Many variants on the melody and text have been handed down through the years with the most popular telling the story of an early settler’s love for a Native American woman.  This arrangement leaves out the text as there is no vocalist, but the writing is still quite expressive and moving.  The arranger used various color changes and voice switching between the instruments to produce a beautiful and sensitive setting of the folk song. The lyrics to the original folk song are printed bellow:

O Shenando' I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river
O Shenando' I long to hear you
Away, we're bound away, across the wide Missouri

O Shenando' I long to see you
Away you rolling river
O Shenando' I long to see you
Away, we're bound away, across the wide Missouri

'Tis seven years since I have seen you
To hear your rolling river
O Shenando' I long to see you
Away, we're bound away, across the wide Missouri

O Shenando' I'll not forget you
I'll dream of your clear waters
O Shenando' you're in my mem'ry
Away, we're bound away, across the wide Missouri