The trio is currently ranked as the highest-selling female musical group in the USA, according to RIAA Gold & Platinum album certifications. As of 2012, The Chicks had won 13 Grammy Awards. While The Chicks continues, Maguire and Robison are writing and recording as Court Yard Hounds as of Feb 2010. The Dixie Chicks renamed the band in 2020 to The Chicks dropping Dixie from the official name as the name had the word 'Dixie' referencing the American Mason–Dixon line, which separated the free and slave-owning southern states.
Robin Lynn Macy was an original bandmember, as was Laura Lynch. Macy left the group in 1992, while Lynch was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
The group aroused considerable controversy for publicly denouncing President George W. Bush and the imminent invasion of Iraq during the European leg of their Top of the World tour supporting Home. Many country music stations immediately pulled their music from the air, and the band received criticism from many corners of the media.
The Water Is Wide
Dixie Chicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And neither I have wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row - my love and I
Now 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 morning dew
She's loaded 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 can't cross o'er
And neither I have wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row - my love and I
And both shall row - my love and I.
The Water is Wide by Dixie Chicks is a melancholic ballad that speaks of love, change, and the natural progression of feelings. The overall theme of the song is that love is a powerful force that has the tendency to ebb and flow, but it always leaves an indelible impact on the human heart. The metaphorical use of water in the song represents a powerful and undulating force that people must navigate in life, much like how love ebbs and flows. The lyrics convey a tone of sadness, resignation, and longing.
The first few lines of the song express the physical impossibility of crossing the wide water without the means to fly. This imagery depicts the emotional distance between two lovers who are unable to bridge the gap of their differences. The next stanza speaks of the fleeting nature of love and how it fades away over time, much like the dew that disappears when the sun comes out. The third verse describes a ship that sails the sea, loaded with cargo and weight, but not as deep as the love the singer is in. This suggests that love is a heavy burden that the singer is carrying, and it is deeper and more profound than any material possession.
The last stanza is a plea from the singer asking for a boat that can carry two so that they can both row it together. This verse expresses the hope that despite the obstacles in the way of their love, it can still prevail if they work together. The repetition of the phrase "both shall row" emphasizes the need for teamwork in keeping the relationship afloat. In this way, the song can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles of love and relationships, and the need for mutual effort and understanding to keep them afloat.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide, I can't cross o'er
The challenges ahead of me are overwhelming and I lack the means to overcome them
And neither I have wings to fly
I do not possess the natural ability to overcome these challenges with ease
Give me a boat that can carry two
Provide me with the necessary tools or support to overcome these challenges
And both shall row - my love and I
Together, my loved one and I will work towards conquering these obstacles
Now love is gentle, and love is kind
Love is a powerful and beautiful emotion capable of bringing peace and happiness
The sweetest flower when first it's new
Like a freshly bloomed flower, love can bring the most pleasure when it is new and untainted
But love grows old, and waxes cold
Over time, love can become stale and lose its initial vigor and appeal
And fades away like morning dew
Eventually, love can disappear as quickly as it arrived, similar to how morning dew disappears with the rising sun
There is a ship, she sails the sea
There are many different paths one can take in life
She's loaded deep as deep can be
Some of these paths may be heavily laden with responsibility
But not as deep as the love I'm in
But none of these paths are as deeply intertwined with my heart and soul as the love I share with my partner
I know not how I sink or swim
Sometimes, it can be difficult to predict how a particular decision or path will end up affecting our lives
And both shall row - my love and I
Despite whatever lies ahead of us, my loved one and I are committed to facing it together
And both shall row - my love and I.
With determination and teamwork, we will navigate our way through life's challenges together
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diane Castillo
I love this rendition!
UTU49
I really appreciated finding this video with the lyrics. Thanks. 😊
kenny G
Thank you..beautiful
Mipanda-mimorue
Dommage que la traduction soit faite mot à mot