Shenandoah Moon

Words & music A. McKnight, ©1996 Catalooch Music, BMI

Verse 1
It was the summer of 30’, in that broad river valley, where 2 kids fell right into love,
Sara Jean’s dad’s bank failed, and James’ farm went for sale,
but those kids found good in hard times

Chorus 1
the dance at the grange hall, when they heard the band call, a Virginia waltz lilting tune
slipped into the night air, two shadows without care, bathed in the light of, a Shenandoah moon

Verse 2
In 42’ the great war came, and James signed up his name, to stare in hell’s face on the line,
while the lovers were apart, he broke his purple heart,
and came home the shell of a man

Chorus 2
Parades and nightmares, a young warrior must bear, but Sara Jean had healing hands
and out in the porch swing, two lovers hands holding, and that river she sings under, a Shenandoah moon

Bridge
Three children later, and 8 grandkids greater, it’s funny how time flows on by,
survived the tornado, and all the hardship they’d known
and in 50 years, how strong love had grown

Verse 3
On Sara Jean’s deathbed, no tears, smiles instead, by morning she’d see James again,
like corn in July heat, each taste so sweet,
but all good things meet their earthly end

Chorus 3
and that band of angels, plays an old Virginia waltz, while 2 kids twirl through eternity
through heavenly meadows, that gentle river flows, and 2 smiling faces shine, from a Shenandoah moon