Oh Shenandoah is an American folk song and American treasure

As you may have noticed that the series of music talk in my blog is not about music, as one cannot make much sense talking about something one knows little, instead I focus on the story or legend that comes with it, as David McCullough (one of the living American historians I respect and read) said the music that has stood the test of time, “means still more when we know their story.”

The folk song “Oh Shenandoah”, dating to early 1900s, was said to be sung by the Confederate soldiers longing to go home in Virginia during the Civil War era.  It is traced back to the native Indians; the name of Shenandoah says it all.

When Sissel (from Norway) came to America and wanted to sing something American, she chose Shenandoah,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1EG_4IBzbA&feature=related   

When the Civil War came, the Confederacy practically had no Navy.  They ordered non-armed merchant ships from Britain, then bound for other countries, such as China, and armed and manned by Confederacy sailors.  One of these ships was called Shenandoah.  Lincoln’s Union had serious talk with Great Britain and the last two ships were never delivered.