Missouri River

The Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States. At about 2,565 mi (4,130 km) in length, it is the longest river in the United States and drains approximately one-sixth of the North American continent. The combined Missouri-Mississippi river system is the fourth longest river in the world.

Popular depictions

The river is notable for being the setting of the Pete Seeger song Waist Deep in the Big Muddy. The song is set in 1942, during training for World War II, but its image of a foolish captain who pushes his men further and further into a hopeless situation was clearly meant to parallel the Vietnam War. In the song, a captain leading a squad on training maneuvers insists on crossing the titular river, insisting that it is safe to cross. The captain sinks into the mud, drowns, and his squad turns back.

Related Topics:
Pete Seeger - Waist Deep in the Big Muddy - Vietnam War

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Each verse of the American folk song Oh Shenandoah ends with the line

Related Topics:
Folk song - Oh Shenandoah

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"Across the wide Missouri".

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