Barbra Streisand has recorded more than 60 albums, almost all with Columbia Records. Her early works in the 1960s (her debut The Barbra Streisand Album which won two Grammy Awards in 1963, followed by The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra, etc.) are considered classic renditions of theater and nightclub standards, including her version of Happy Days Are Here Again. Beginning with My Name Is Barbra, her albums were often medley-filled keepsakes of her television specials.
Starting in 1969, Streisand tackled contemporary songwriters; like many talented singers of the day, she found herself a fish out of water in attempts to tackle rock, but her vocal talents prevailed and she gained newfound success with the pop and ballad-oriented Richard Perry-produced album Stoney End in 1971. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, was a big hit for Streisand.
Streisand's 1980 album, Guilty featured the songwriting, production and vocal talents of Barry Gibb and was the best-selling album of her recording career. During the 1970s, she was also highly prominent in the pop charts, with number-one records like The Way We Were, Evergreen, No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (her duet with Donna Summer), and Woman In Love; some of these came from soundtracks of her films. She recently took part in supporting Haiti in singing "We are the World 25th anniversary.
When the 1970s ended, Streisand was named the most successful female singer in the U.S. - only Elvis Presley and The Beatles having sold more albums. [1]
[1] In 1982, New York Times music critic Stephen Holden wrote that Streisand was "the most influential mainstream American pop singer since Frank Sinatra."
The Water Is Wide
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot cross over
And neither have
I wings to fly
Build me a boat
That will carry two
And both shall row
There is a ship
And she sails the sea
She's loaded deep
As deep can be
But not so deep
As the love I'm in
I know not how
I sink or swim
Deep river
My home is over Jordan
Deep river, Lord
I want to cross over into campground
Deep river
My home is over Jordan
Deep river, Lord
I want to cross over into campground
Oh, don't you want to go
To that gospel feast
That promised land
Where all is peace
Lord, deep river, Lord
I want to cross over into campground
The water is wide
I cannot cross over
And neither have
I wings to fly
Build me a boat
that will carry two
And both shall row
And both shall row
And both shall row
My love and I
Barbra Streisand's song "The Water is Wide / Deep River" is a classic traditional American folk ballad brimming with melancholic beauty. The song comprises two distinct sections: the first part ("The Water is Wide") is a affecting story of two lovers separated by a body of water, and the second part ("Deep River") is a spiritual song discussing crossing over into the afterlife. The first section begins with the poignant line "The water is wide, I cannot cross over, and neither have I wings to fly," and the singer implores their lover to build them a boat so that the two of them can row across the troubled waters together. The second verse brings about a symbol of hope in the form of an enigmatic ship sailing the seas, and rounds out the section with the lovesick narrator expressing the depths of their love.
The second section of the song, "Deep River," invokes thoughts of a spiritual journey to the afterlife. The lyrics "my home is over Jordan" allude to a biblical idea, specifically crossing the Jordan River from Israel to the Promised Land. The final verse discusses the prospect of joining the gospel feast in paradise, which serves as a metaphor for entering the afterlife.
The two parts of the song are tied together by the sea and the river, both symbolizing a journey, whether it be journeying through life with a loved one or journeying into the afterlife. The song is a touching reminder of the power of human connection and the yearning for something more significant than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide
The distance between where I am and where I need to be is great
I cannot cross over
I do not have the ability to travel this distance
And neither have I wings to fly
I do not have extraordinary means to make the journey
Build me a boat that will carry two
Create a vessel that can hold both myself and my love
And both shall row
We will work together to move forward
My love and I
The person who will help me on this journey
There is a ship
There are other ways to make this journey
And she sails the sea
There are common paths that others have taken
She's loaded deep, as deep can be
This path has been used extensively
But not so deep as the love I'm in
However, my love is stronger and deeper than any path I can take
I know not how I sink or swim
I am unsure if I will successfully complete this journey
Deep river
The challenges I face on this journey are great
My home is over Jordan
My goal is to reach a new place and leave the past behind
Deep river, Lord
I know I need help to make this journey
I want to cross over into campground
I want to arrive at a place of safety and rest
Oh, don't you want to go
Do you also feel the desire to make this journey?
To that gospel feast
To that place where we can experience joy and belonging
That promised land,
The place we are striving to reach
Where all is peace
A place free of the struggles we face in our current situation
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DP, Arif Mardin, Barbara Streisand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt