Several distinct melodies and verses have developed from this song, which has occasionally been called the first American folk song. Traditionally, Shenandoah (which is also a river, a river valley, and a mountain range in Virginia) refers to an Indian chief.
The river Missouri is typically pronounced Mi-zoo'-rye. Frank Shay adds that the pronunciation Shannadore was ubiquitous among the old sailors.
In Songs of the Sea, Stan Hugill writes that this shanty version was used when drawing a ship nearer to her anchor. The version probably came into circulation from the American boatsmen of the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers in the 1840s.