In 1997, it was retired as the state song, largely due to controversy over the lyrics' racial content (such as the narrator being a slave, and referring to himself as a "darkey").
"When Clifton A. Woodrum was in Congress, the House of Representatives couldn't adjourn until the honorable Democrat from Roanoke, Virginia with a rich and varied baritone voice led the body in a rendition of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny".
On March 1, 2006, the House Rules Committee of the General Assembly voted down bill SB682, which would have made "Shenandoah" the official state song.
Oh, I wish dat I was young again, Den I'd lead a different life, I'd save my money and buy a farm, And take Dinah for my wife; But now old age, he holds me tight, And I cannot love any more, Oh, carry me back to ole Virginny, To ole Virginny shore.
When I am dead and gone to roost, Lay de old tambo by my side, Let de possum and coon to my funeral go, For dey are my only pride; Den in soft repose, I'll take my sleep, An' I'll dream for ever more, Dat you're carrying me back to ole Virginny, To ole Virginny shore.
I imagine their pride and valor as they marched up that hill and their shock as they heard the screams of the horses in the smoke.
I wanted to surprise the listener the same way, so I started off by extolling the virtue of war, then drawing off all that glory till the truth was revealed.