Product Description
This beautiful song is one of the most
popular American folk songs, evoking images of the river life of yesteryear. It
is sure to be a popular addition to your viola recital, or it would make an
excellent encore piece. This arrangement can be played in first and third positions. The top note is G an octave above the alto staff (G5) and the standard is about ABRSM viola Grade 4-5 (UK). The
duration is 03:55.
As with most folk songs, there are many
different versions of Shenandoah, and its impossible to determine the
songs exact provenance with any degree of certainty. It probably has its
origins among the French Canadians who traded with Native Americans around the
Great Lakes during the sixteenth century. In most versions of the song, the lyrics tell of
a seafarer, possibly a canoeing fur-trader, who was in love with the daughter
of Shenandoah, a Native American Chief who lived in
what is now the state of Virginia. Shenandoah was a real
person: an individual of commanding presence who lived for over a hundred
years.
Sailors heading down the Mississippi
picked up the song and made it a capstan shanty, which they sang while hauling
in the anchor. By the mid-1800s versions of the song were heard almost
everywhere the clipper ships ventured. Shenandoah
was one of the most popular capstan shanties, a slow song which set a
manageable pace for the crew in a heavy and lengthy task. Add this lovely
American song to your repertoire today! The arranger would like to thank viola
player Brian Miller (Head Orchestra Director, James Nikki Rowe High
School, Texas) for his helpful advice in reviewing the solo part.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.