As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.
In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).
Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).
She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.
Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.
Water is Wide
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot swim ore
and neither have I
the wings to fly
give me a boat
that can carry two
and we both shall row
my true love and I
A ship there is
and she sails the seas
she's laden deep
as deep can be
but not so deep
as the love I'm in
and I know not if
i sink or swim
I leaned my back
against a young oak
thinkin he was
a trusty tree
but first he bended
and then he broke
thus did my love
prove false to me
Oh love is handsome
and love is kind
bright as a jewl
when first it's new
but love grows old
and waxes cold
and fades away
like the morning dew
and fades away
like the morning dew
The Water Is Wide is a traditional Scottish and English folk song, and Karla Bonoff's version is a poignant interpretation of the song. The first verse of the song describes the singer's inability to cross the wide body of water because they cannot swim and do not have wings to fly. The singer then requests a boat to take them and their love to the other side of the water, where they both shall row together. The second verse alludes to a laden ship that is not as deep as the love the singer has for their companion. The singer is uncertain if they will sink or swim in this deep love. In the third verse, the singer leans against a young oak, thinking it was a reliable tree, but it turned out to be unreliable and broke. This is a metaphor that refers to their love, which also broke and disappointed the singer. The last verse talks about how love can be beautiful and bright when it's new, but it can grow old, fade away, and become like the morning dew, which dissipates as the sun rises.
The imagery in this song is profound and relatable to many people. The vast expanse of water sets the stage for the feeling of powerlessness, the uncertainty of the deep love, and the temporary beauty of love. The song's overall theme is that love and trust can be fragile and easily broken, and no one can predict love's outcome. The singer's voice is haunting and poignant, which complements the lyrical content perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide
The distance between me and my true love is vast.
I cannot swim ore
I am not capable of crossing the distance on my own.
and neither have I
I lack the ability.
the wings to fly
I am not capable of flying either.
give me a boat
I need a means of transportation.
that can carry two
It should be big enough for two people to sail on it.
and we both shall row
My true love and I will have to work together to cross the distance.
my true love and I
We are committed to each other and will cross the distance together.
A ship there is
There is another option for crossing the distance.
and she sails the seas
The ship is out at sea.
she's laden deep
The ship is heavily loaded.
as deep can be
It's carrying as much as it can.
but not so deep
Despite the ship's heavy load, it's not carrying as much as I love my true love.
as the love I'm in
My love for my true love is deeper than anything else.
and I know not if
I am unsure of what will happen.
i sink or swim
I may succeed or fail in this pursuit.
I leaned my back
I relied on something for support.
against a young oak
The thing I relied on was a young oak tree, which represents my love.
thinkin he was
I believed the young oak was.
a trusty tree
I believed it to be reliable and trustworthy, representing my love for my true love.
but first he bended
The tree didn't prove to be as sturdy as I thought it was.
and then he broke
It ultimately failed me and broke under the strain, representing that my love was not enough.
thus did my love
This symbolizes my love for my true love.
prove false to me
My love ultimately let me down and proved to be false.
Oh love is handsome
Love is attractive and alluring.
and love is kind
It is also gentle and polite.
bright as a jewl
Love is shiny and precious.
when first it's new
Especially when it's fresh and new.
but love grows old
Over time, love may lose its luster.
and waxes cold
It may become distant or even icy.
and fades away
Eventually, love may completely disappear.
like the morning dew
Like the dew that evaporates in the morning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEAN-PAUL CABRIERES, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidsnizek9690
Sweetie I am a man 65 yrs old lost a wife to cancer two years ago a wife who I wooed with this song 16 years before. I have heard Freddy Neil / Steve Goodman loved the penny whistle / and done by a fiddle on The move The Bounty . Tonight I took the liberty's to play along On my Old mandolin a Bowel back Larson Mouer 1900 era man do and on vocals. Girl thank you as this was the best I had ever done this tune Wow wish you were my neighbor.
@karelcuchal1550
Judith Durham is better.
@geoffkrikorian54
This version makes me cry everytime. Yes, I'm sixty-eight years old and still looking for somebody that will row with me.
@mattmoore9387
Had this song sung at my wedding in 95. She’s gone now but it still makes me cry. Thank you miss.
@leneitajackson1385
I'm so sorry for your loss of your wife.
@adamryder9097
This was placed at my twin sister's funeral two years ago today. Such an incredible song, to my sister may you rest in eternal sleep until we meet again love always your twin brother xxx
@tiantianli5779
sad
@roderickmatheson2770
I played this at my wife's funeral also
@deborahcabanting
🕊️♥️
@evaamador939
So sorry for your loss. I lost my little sister on 10/4/22. This is a beautiful song.