Another hauntingly beautiful Celtic melody, with a touch of melancholy and a ray of hope.
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Story behind the song
This is a traditional song, popular enough to have been performed and recorded by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Indigo Girls and James Taylor. Furthermore, recently found this bit of history on the Internet:
"The song was originally Waly, Waly, but in the 19th century came to be known as The Water is Wide. The song was published in 1724. O Waly, Waly is sometimes reported to be part of a longer ballad, Lord Jamie Douglas. However, Douglas was first published by Herd (1776) where it states it is to be sung to the tune of Waly, Waly, so it is fairly certain that Waly, Waly is the earlier tune."
Lyrics
The Water is Wide
The water is wide
I cannot cross o'er
And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row my love and I
O love is gentle and love is kind
The sweetest flower when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like the morning dew
There is a ship
She sails the sea
She's laden deep
As deep can be
But not as deep as the love I'm in
I know not how I sink or swim
The water is wide
I cannot cross o’er
And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row
My love and I
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row