The Water is Wide
Chloe Lyrics
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And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
Their love is plentive, o'er there it grows
It grows and blossoms like a rose
It has a sweet and pleasant smell
The ship there is 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 if I sink or swim
Oh, love is handsome and love is fine
And loves a jewel when it is new
But rain it above it grows so cold
And fades away like morning dew
Chloe's song 'The Water Is Wide' is a folk ballad that speaks of the challenges of love and the longing for the unattainable. The opening lines 'The water is wide, I cannot get o'er/ And neither have I wings to fly' paint a scene of an impassable obstacle that the singer cannot cross, be it physical or emotional. The use of water as a symbol of love and the inability to navigate it conveys a sense of frustration and helplessness. The singer seeks a solution, asking for a boat that can carry two, indicating the need for a partner in navigating the difficulties of love.
The second verse 'Their love is plentive, o'er there it grows/ It grows and blossoms like a rose/ It has a sweet and pleasant smell/ No flower on earth can it excel' describes love as abundant and beautiful, like a blooming rose with an irresistible fragrance. The comparison of love to a rose, that is universally recognized as a symbol of love, emphasizes the depth and intensity of the singer's affections. However, the third verse 'The ship there is 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 if I sink or swim' contrasts the beauty of love with the difficulties that come with it. The love the singer has is deeper than the ship that sails the sea, indicating the vastness of the emotions involved. The uncertainty of whether they will 'sink or swim' highlights the potential heartache involved in pursuing love.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
The distance between us is too vast for me to cross.
And neither have I wings to fly
I lack the ability to effortlessly traverse the distance between us.
Give me a boat that can carry two
Provide me with a vessel that can accommodate both of us.
And both shall row, my love and I
Together, we will work to overcome the distance between us.
Their love is plentive, o'er there it grows
Their love is abundant and flourishes in the distance that separates them.
It grows and blossoms like a rose
Their love is vibrant and beautiful like a blossoming rose.
It has a sweet and pleasant smell
Their love emanates an attractive and appealing aura.
No flower on earth can it excel
Their love is incomparable to any other love in existence.
The ship there is and she sails the sea
There is a ship sailing the vast ocean.
She's loaded deep as deep can be
The ship is heavily laden to the maximum capacity.
But not so deep as the love I'm in
However, the ship's immense load pales in comparison to the depth of my love.
I know not if I sink or swim
I am uncertain whether my love for you will cause me to drown or rise above adversity.
Oh, love is handsome and love is fine
Love is attractive and admirable in the beginning stages.
And loves a jewel when it is new
Love is a precious gem when it is fresh and new.
But rain it above it grows so cold
However, over time, love can become distant and unfeeling like the colder drops of rain.
And fades away like morning dew
Eventually, love can disappear quickly and quietly like the dew evaporating in the morning sun.
Writer(s): Traditional
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.