From all of us at Voices, we wish you a happy and safe 4th of July!

Today we share with you James Erb's arrangement of "Shenandoah," which the Voices of Ascension Singers recently performed at Voices Outdoors. Certainly one of the best known American folk songs, folklorists believe "Shenandoah" started out as a chanty sung by American and Canadian fur traders traveling down the Missouri River in the early 19th century. Originally, the lyrics told the tale of a white fur trader who falls in love with the daughter of Oneida Iroquois chief Shenandoah, crossing the Missouri to see her and marry her. Eventually, the chanty became popular with voyageurs and sailors all over the globe, with the lyrics going through many revisions and adaptations (in fact, there is a Caribbean version where the trader in the song leaves his beloved and relishes it). Since that time, "Shenandoah" has become a wistful, poignant piece of Americana; a celebration of the natural beauty of America as well as a longing cry for the American Dream.

Take a listen to the Voice of Ascension Singers' performance of "Shenandoah" below.

TRADITIONAL (arr. James Erb) “Shenandoah”

Voices of Ascension Singers
Alex Longnecker, Amy Goldin, Elena Williamson, Elisa Singer, Greg Purnhagen, Hai-Ting Chinn, Kate Maroney, Kirsten Sollek, Marquis Fuse, Peter Stewart, Richard Lippold, Tomàs Cruz, Wesley Chinn

Recorded live at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, June 4, 2022.