Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
Water is Wide
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall cross my true love and I
I lean'd my back against an oak
Thinking it was a mighty tree
But first it bent and then it broke
So did my love prove false to me
Thinking the sweetest flow'are to find
I prick'd my finger to the bone
And left the sweetest flow'are behind
O love is handsome and love is kind
Gay as a jewel when it is new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like the morning dew
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
Neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall cross my true love and I
The Water Is Wide is a folk song that has been embraced by various musicians over the years, and has its roots in traditional Scottish and English balladry. As the song suggests, the singer is unable to cross a wide expanse of water to reach their true love. They do not have the wings to fly, but instead hope for a boat that can carry them both.
The song’s opening line, “The water is wide, I cannot get o'er”, hints at the overall theme of obstacles and challenges standing in the way of love. In this case, the barrier is water, but it could be any number of things. The singer is optimistic that a boat that can carry two people will come along soon, so that they can be reunited with their true love.
The lyrics “Love grows old and waxes cold, And fades away like the morning dew” speaks to the impermanence of love. The song seems to suggest that even if the couple does eventually find a way to be together, their love may ultimately not stand the test of time. The idea that love is fleeting is something that many people can relate to, and it is a powerful message that makes this song resonate with so many.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
The water is vast and deep, and I am unable to cross it
Neither have I wings to fly
I lack the ability to fly over the water
Give me a boat that can carry two
I request a boat that can accommodate both my true love and me
And both shall cross my true love and I
We shall both travel across the water together
I lean'd my back against an oak
I rested my back against a sturdy oak tree
Thinking it was a mighty tree
I believed it to be an unbreakable tree
But first it bent and then it broke
The tree bent under pressure and eventually snapped
So did my love prove false to me
My lover also failed me in a time of need
I put my hand in some soft bush
I reached out to touch a soft plant
Thinking the sweetest flow'are to find
Assuming that it would have the sweetest flower
I prick'd my finger to the bone
I accidentally injured myself on its thorns
And left the sweetest flow'are behind
I was unable to take the flower due to the injury
O love is handsome and love is kind
Love is attractive and compassionate
Gay as a jewel when it is new
It shines brightly like a new jewel
But love grows old and waxes cold
Over time, love can become distant and dispassionate
And fades away like the morning dew
It can disappear quickly, like morning dew evaporating in the sun
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
The vastness of the water still poses an obstacle for me
Neither have I wings to fly
Without assistance, I am unable to overcome this obstacle
Give me a boat that can carry two
I continue to seek the means to cross the water with my true love
And both shall cross my true love and I
Our love will help us overcome this challenge and cross the water together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, JEAN-PAUL CABRIERES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
matyldalena
The water is wide, I can't cross o'er
And neither I have wings to fly
Give me a boat, carry two
And both shall row
My love and I
Love is gentle, love is kind
The sweetest flower when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like morning dew
There is a ship that sails the sea
She's loaded deep as deep can be
But not as deep as the love I made
I know not how I'll 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
Anywhere Dog Training
Still getting goosebumps listening to this in 2020. I wish this song would've gone on for hours....... LOVE. Thank you Amy, Emily, Jewel and Sarah.
Nina Marie
Goosebumps still in 2022 here.
UTU49
@Nina Marie
Me too. 🙂
Barbara Ulloa Lorenzo
😊
Leroy Teó
...BEYOND ANGELIC!!...I had the privilege to see this live, there wasn't a dry eye in the audience!!...they really need to to do another Lilith Fair!!..
OVI-Wan Kenobi
More like Labia Fair LOL! What an oysterfest lol
Sandi B
I don't think I'll ever forget when they performed this. The audience became almost silent at the end when they all sang together. The night was beautiful and warm.. this takes me back to an amazing time in my life 🎶🎶
Cheryl Ann
Me too! We were drenched from the day with our arms and head poked thru a trash bag. Wouldnt trade that day for the world💜✌
Sherri Graf
Nl
Derek Chin
I caught them all at Lilith Fair, so incredibly good. The 90s were a boon time for female artists. I know music tastes change over time, but this is timeless.