That's not at all true! The Shenandoah flows through the most beautiful part of West Virginia - Jefferson County. It meets the Potomac at Harpers Ferry. The Shenandoah Valley is in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
The truth here is…. Interesting. There are many sources and stories, interviews and such through the years that conflict. We know that none of the writers had been to West Virginia when the song was written. The original idea for the song is said to have come from a drive through… Maryland- the “country roads” referred to came from this. Bob Donoff, the writer who conceived the idea tried to write the song about his home state of Massachusetts, his home and the likely source of the “take me home” refrain- he decided against it for whatever reason (many stories exist to why..)
How the Virginias get involved… some accounts say it was a drive through the state of Virginia, others say it was some postcards received from West Virginia, some say both.
The husband wife writers, Danoff and Taffy Niferty had a song and wanted to pitch Johnny Cash but ran into Denver who helped put a final round of writing on the song before recording the hit we know today.
So the song obviously prominently features and mentions the Virginias, and geographically could refer to either state, but was originally about Massachusetts by a guy from MA who got nostalgic driving country roads in Maryland…. So where is the song about…?
Technically… no where. Anywhere.
Danoff listened to radio programs as a kid- the general nostalgia and romanticism of the song comes from those general feelings he had. The Virginias with their iconic mountains and their history and culture and the imagery they evoke are classic Americana that was relatable through much of America and the romance and feelings of history and heritage and natural beauty and “home” relatable world wide. The listener is free to interpret the song how they like- hence the popularity of the song outside the Virginias or the south or even the USA. It’s more about a feeling than a specific place. None of the writers had strong ties to either state but it is packed with emotions and resonates off feeling.
Fair enough, and I'm sure you're right, but the combination of Shenandoah River, Blue Ridge Mountains and West Virginia points to one particular county in the WV Eastern panhandle where WV, VA and MD meet. The song resonates with me because I grew up there :-)
lol. Not disagreeing. like I said- geographically the song totally fits West Virginia as you point out- I figured you brought a fun fact to straighten things out so I’d bring some fun facts to add. Could the song mean “west virginia” and not “West Virginia”? I suppose. Even if we could see the original lyrics as written to confirm if it is capitalized, not everyone always capitalizes proper nouns and some people capitalize cardinal directions- so therefore still be room for debate. The idea it was “western Virginia” and shortened for cadence is possible but I dub it unlikely and the phrasing would be odd, and with what we know unlikely. I find it most likely that the state referred to by name in the song is “West Virginia,” but the sentiment is universal. That’s my take based on the info- it is irrefutable that those landmarks ARE present in West Virginia so an argument that it can’t be West Virginia because of those landmarks alone is a weak argument.
To be clear- there is insufficient and circumstantial evidence to claim that the area referenced in the song is not the state of West Virginia. One may interpret the song as they like and one may choose to stop short of saying the song is ABOUT West Virginia- but the evidence and historical interpretation of the song have enough evidence for a solid case the locations references are West Virginia.
So we have enough support to say it is or may likely be West Virginia, but not enough to say it is NOT West Virginia.
The proper way to refer to an area of a state would be “western Virginia,” the same as Los Angeles is “Southern California” and not “south California.” People may point out “West Florida” but that was an actual territory with its own history and the name persists in the general area the territory once comprised. An exception, not the rule.
So most factors favor “West Virginia” and no sources I’ve seen asides speculation support it was ever “Western Virginia” in intent
How the Virginias get involved… some accounts say it was a drive through the state of Virginia, others say it was some postcards received from West Virginia, some say both.
The husband wife writers, Danoff and Taffy Niferty had a song and wanted to pitch Johnny Cash but ran into Denver who helped put a final round of writing on the song before recording the hit we know today.
Technically… no where. Anywhere.
Danoff listened to radio programs as a kid- the general nostalgia and romanticism of the song comes from those general feelings he had. The Virginias with their iconic mountains and their history and culture and the imagery they evoke are classic Americana that was relatable through much of America and the romance and feelings of history and heritage and natural beauty and “home” relatable world wide. The listener is free to interpret the song how they like- hence the popularity of the song outside the Virginias or the south or even the USA. It’s more about a feeling than a specific place. None of the writers had strong ties to either state but it is packed with emotions and resonates off feeling.
So we have enough support to say it is or may likely be West Virginia, but not enough to say it is NOT West Virginia.
The proper way to refer to an area of a state would be “western Virginia,” the same as Los Angeles is “Southern California” and not “south California.” People may point out “West Florida” but that was an actual territory with its own history and the name persists in the general area the territory once comprised. An exception, not the rule.
So most factors favor “West Virginia” and no sources I’ve seen asides speculation support it was ever “Western Virginia” in intent