The Water Is Wide
Joan Baez & The Indigo Girls Lyrics


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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
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
I put my hand in some soft bush
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

Overall Meaning

The Water Is Wide is a traditional folk song that has been covered by many artists, including Joan Baez. The song is known for its poignancy and haunting melody. The lyrics speak of heartbreak and lost love, with the singer lamenting their inability to cross the wide water to be with their love. The first stanza sets the scene, with the singer acknowledging their limitations and asking for a boat that can carry two. The second stanza uses natural imagery to describe the fragility of love and the disappointment when it fades away. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's longing to be united with their true love.


The song can be interpreted as a reflection of the human condition: our desire for love, the difficulties we face in attaining it, and the pain of its loss. The water, which cannot be crossed, represents the obstacles that prevent us from achieving what we desire. The singer's lack of wings symbolizes our limitations and our inability to transcend those obstacles. The oak tree, which first seems strong but ultimately breaks, represents the disappointment that comes when we place our trust in someone who proves to be false. The sweetest flower, which the singer pricks their finger on, represents the beauty of love, which can also hurt us.


Line by Line Meaning

The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
I am faced with an obstacle that is too immense to overcome.


Neither have I wings to fly
I do not possess the supernatural ability to soar over my troubles.


Give me a boat that can carry two
I require assistance from someone else to get to the other side.


And both shall cross my true love and I
Together, my soulmate and I will triumph over our difficulties.


I lean'd my back against an oak
I rested against what seemed like a sturdy tree.


Thinking it was a mighty tree
I thought it was reliable and could support me.


But first it bent and then it broke
But it wavered and ultimately failed to withstand the pressure.


So did my love prove false to me
In the same way, my love also turned out to be disloyal.


I put my hand in some soft bush
I reached for something that appeared gentle and pleasing.


Thinking the sweetest flow'are to find
Assuming that I would grasp something delightfully fragrant.


I prick'd my finger to the bone
Unfortunately, I was sorely mistaken and ended up injuring myself.


And left the sweetest flow'are behind
In the end, I missed out on the most alluring thing.


O love is handsome and love is kind
Initially, love can seem attractive and benevolent.


Gay as a jewel when it is new
It shines brilliantly like a precious gem at the beginning.


But love grows old and waxes cold
However, love eventually loses its vitality and grows cold.


And fades away like the morning dew
Its radiance vanishes like the dew on the grass at dawn.


The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
Once again, I must confront an insurmountable challenge.


Neither have I wings to fly
I am still unable to magically lift off the ground.


Give me a boat that can carry two
But I still seek assistance in the journey.


And both shall cross my true love and I
Together with my beloved, we will endure and succeed.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, JEAN-PAUL CABRIERES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Katharina Scharlowski

Never i've been so sorrowfullest Water like I'm now and
F dephts and

@~~~
went down to the ground an d free to thee Hights..

thank you Joan. I was really in spable of feeling my sensuaslity. Do you know since when? There were Onlyones that wre able to approach me. Holyones.

I was Damaged. Thankyouall for having cared for me. And thank you Joan for Blessed Are.

Katharina Scharlowski
And as two ride the boat they were strong enough to pick if some foersaken in treachrous waters.

Ill here adter the deluge, see also imgeborg Bachmann nach dieser Sintflut. U wrote a letter in pledging for forgiveness because I was guilty .
And i will here' Blessed are' inzhosesdays ot sremd that i bevcame innocence lost. and Ring them bells.
I did know the oirm of Hohn Dinne to whom the bells toll. I was in quiet but im interedted in your song. Right now.25 septebrr 2020 17 15oclock



All comments from YouTube:

Rose Lieberman

Wonderful i never get tired of listening to Joan Baez

LJ Sosa

This is why I love women's folk music. The blending of voices, the depth of feeling; you can't get this anywhere else.

angie burger

I agree completely

macadavy

Um, actually you could pony up & buy the entire album - imagine that!

Tara Moonshadow

This is so angelically beautiful...my words fall short! Bravo!!

Marie Tobias

Thank you so much for putting this up, one of my favorite bands playing with one of my favorite performing artists, singing one of my favorite songs. It just doesn't get any better.

miss mabel

Wow they sound perfect together. Joan Baez is the best. Thanks!

JON D. ELDER

This is a great version of one of my favorite songs.

Damiano Siani

Joan and the Indigo girls...supreme artistry!....Thanks, dear sisters of mine!... A warm CIAO from Rome!

CraftyCrafter

Wow this is a fabulous version of a beautiful song

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