The Water is Wide
Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton Lyrics
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Neither have I wings that I could fly
Build me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row my love and I
There is a ship and it sails on the sea
Loaded deep as deep can be
But not as deep as the love I'm in
I leaned my back up against an oak
Thinkin' it was a trusty tree
But first it bent and then it broke
Just like my own false love to me
Oh love is gentle, love is kind
Gay as a jewel when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like some morning dew
The water is wide and I can't cross over
Neither have I wings to fly
Build me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row my love and I
The song “The Water is Wide” is a traditional Scottish folk song that has been performed by many musicians over the years, including Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton. The lyrics speak of the unrequited love of a man who cannot cross a body of water to be with his love. The water serves as a metaphor for the distance and obstacles that exist between the two lovers.
The first verse expresses the singer’s inability to cross the water and the lack of supernatural abilities to overcome it. He asks for a boat to be built that can carry two so that he and his love can row together. The second verse compares the depth of the ship sailing on the sea to the depth of the singer’s love. He does not know if he will sink or swim in this love. The third verse is a metaphor for the singer’s betrayal by his lover. He trusted her, but she was as false as the oak tree that bent and broke under his weight.
The final verse speaks to the fleeting nature of love. It may start out strong and passionate, but it can also wane and fade away like morning dew. The song therefore ends with a plea for a boat to be built, emphasizing the singer’s determination to row with his love despite the obstacles in his path.
Overall, the song captures the pain and frustration of unrequited love and long-distance relationships. It serves as a reminder that love can be beautiful and powerful, but it can also be fragile and fickle.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide and I can't cross over
The river or water that I must cross is too wide, and it is impossible for me to do so without help.
Neither have I wings that I could fly
I cannot fly across the river and need a different solution to reach my destination.
Build me a boat that can carry two
I need a boat that can carry both me and my beloved.
And both shall row my love and I
We will row the boat together as a team and reach our destination together.
There is a ship and it sails on the sea
I see a ship sailing on the sea.
Loaded deep as deep can be
The ship is loaded to its fullest capacity.
But not as deep as the love I'm in
However, the depth of my love for my beloved is greater than the depth of the ship's load.
I know not if I sink or swim
I am uncertain whether my love will lead me to a happy ending or a tragic one.
I leaned my back up against an oak
I trusted in an oak tree for support.
Thinkin' it was a trusty tree
I believed the oak tree was solid and trustworthy.
But first it bent and then it broke
The oak tree failed me, just as my own false love has let me down.
Just like my own false love to me
The oak tree breaking is a metaphor for the betrayal of my love.
Oh love is gentle, love is kind
Love can be gentle and kind, like a beautiful jewel when it's new.
Gay as a jewel when first it's new
Love can bring happiness and joy in the beginning.
But love grows old and waxes cold
Over time, love can become old and unfeeling.
And fades away like some morning dew
Just like morning dew that disappears with sunlight, love can also disappear, leaving nothing behind.
The water is wide and I can't cross over
Reiterating that the river is too wide to cross, and I need help to reach my destination.
Neither have I wings to fly
I cannot fly over the river and need a different solution to reach my destination.
Build me a boat that can carry two
Repeat request to build a boat to carry both me and my beloved.
And both shall row my love and I
We will row the boat together as a team and reach our destination together, emphasizing the importance of unity in a relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEAN-PAUL CABRIERES, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StartToContinue
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Always love hearing musicians instantly gel despite whether they know a song or not, but the real treat hear is studio chat after the song. Amazing trade of respect going on here
@susiefairfield7218
yes! would love more cuts of your bootleg stash 💓🔥🎹🎸⚡⚡🙌💜👥💦🌹✌️💀thank you for sharing
@greengiant9739
Yes sir,. Gotta a smile from ear to ear listening to this .. so cool .. 😎...
@StartToContinue
Absolutely! Gotta find more lost audio like that!
@0otee
‘Water and Wine’ makes me think of ‘When I Paint My Masterpiece’ Lovely Guitars🌹❤️🌺🌷👌Piano🌻🌞 Singing.. Jamming freely as they should!
So exited of what ‘Shadow Kingdom’ will be like... July 18th.. feels like we all will be led via darkey spaces into ‘Sounds of Bob’❣️👌 ... we’ll come to see it💥Thanks Woolhall🌺 🌹Dylan🌹🌺🌞
@StartToContinue
Woolhall??? Yeah he's great, but this is STC!
@mario7frankielee
very wonderful
i had it but couldn’t find it in my chaotic folderworld 😱and now you put it right in front of my eyes🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@StartToContinue
Stay tuned! More to come!
@Leo-uc8zv
He said I listen to you all the time man haha
@0otee
Good to hear how they’re jamming Relaxed and until its becoming Gems❤️🌹👌🎶💥🌞🌺
Like só many before 1976!!!❤️ And after❤️