This traditional American folk song is of unknown origins, but was probably first sung by both American and Canadian voyageurs (fur traders), traveling on the Missouri River. In early versions, Shenandoah is the famous Oneida chief whose daughter the trader wishes to marry. Later riverboat men, and eventually, sea-going sailors learned the song and adapted the lyrics. Now there are many sets of lyrics and Shenandoah seems to be not only the person, but the river and the place.
At least sixty individual artists and groups have recorded “Oh, Shenandoah” including such notables as Judy Garland, Paul Robeson, Bing Crosby, Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen and dozens of groups and choirs.