The Water is Wide
Eva Cassidy Lyrics


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The water is wide I can not get 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 handsome and love is fine
And love's a jewel when it's first new
But love grows old and waxes gold
And fades away like morning dew

There is a ship it's sailing the sea
It's loaded deep as deep can be
But not so deep as my love for him
I know not if I sink or swim

The water is wide I can not get 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
And both shall row my love and I

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eva Cassidy's song The Water Is Wide reflect a deep longing for love and the challenges that often come with it. The first lines of the song, "The water is wide I can not get o'er, And neither have I wings to fly," speak to the idea of being stuck in a place that is difficult to leave or move on from. It's as if the singer is saying that they are trapped in a situation where they cannot move forward, and they don't have the means to escape it.


In the following lines, the singer asks for a boat that will carry two, which suggests that they are not alone in their struggle. Maybe they are looking for a partner to row the boat with, someone to help them navigate the rough waters ahead. The song's chorus repeats this idea, emphasizing the need for a vessel that can carry both the singer and their love.


As the song progresses, the lyrics reflect on the nature of love itself. The singer describes how love can be beautiful and precious, like a jewel when it's new. But over time, love can age and lose its luster, fading away like morning dew. The final verse introduces the image of a ship sailing the sea, loaded down with cargo. But the singer asserts that the love they feel is more profound and heavier than any freight on that ship. They don't know if they will sink or swim, but they are willing to take that risk for the sake of love.


Overall, The Water Is Wide is a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and the challenges that come with pursuing it. The song suggests that love can be both beautiful and painful, a journey that requires strength, courage, and a willingness to take risks.


Line by Line Meaning

The water is wide I can not get o'er
I am faced with a great obstacle that seems impossible to overcome.


And neither have I wings to fly
I do not possess magical powers to enable me to effortlessly soar over the obstacle.


Give me a boat that will carry two
I am requesting for a vessel that can accommodate both me and my loved one to take us safely across the obstacle.


O love is handsome and love is fine
Love is a beautiful and exquisite feeling that brings joy and hope to the heart.


And love's a jewel when it's first new
At the beginning, love is a precious and invaluable treasure that glitters brightly and brings immense happiness.


But love grows old then waxes gold
As time passes, love matures and becomes even more valuable, just like gold that increases in worth and shine with age.


And fades away like morning dew
Unfortunately, love can also gradually lose its luster and beauty until it eventually disappears like morning dew that dissolves as the day progresses.


There is a ship it's sailing the sea
There exists a vessel that is navigating the vast ocean.


It's loaded deep as deep can be
The ship is heavily laden with cargo and is sailing as deep as its draft will allow.


But not so deep as the love I'm in
Despite the immense depth of the ship's loading, it is nowhere near as deep as the intensity of my love.


I know not if I sink or swim
I am uncertain whether I will succumb to the weight of my love or be able to rise above it and thrive.


And both shall row my love and I
As we face the obstacle together, we will work as a team to overcome it and to navigate the journey of our love.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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