The Water Is Wide
Pat Surface Lyrics
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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
There is a ship, she sails the sea
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 over
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
In Pat Surface's rendition of the traditional folk song "The Water is Wide," the singer laments their inability to cross a wide expanse of water, and their lack of wings to take flight. They call out for a boat that can carry two, in order to cross with their love. The lyrics then shift to explore the nature of love, its tenderness and fleetingness. The singer compares love to a flower in bloom that eventually fades away like morning dew. The song returns to the water metaphor, describing a ship that sails deep waters but cannot compete with the depth of the singer's love. The song circles back to its opening lines, calling for a boat to carry the lovers across the water.
This song, like many traditional folk songs, is steeped in allegorical language and metaphor. The song's title refers not only to the literal obstacle of water, but can also be seen as a symbol of the insurmountable barriers that can exist between two people in love. The boat represents the act of partnering, and the journey that two people must take together in order to cross those barriers. The water thus becomes a symbol of the wider world that surrounds and separates us, and love becomes the only means of bridging those gaps.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide, I can't cross over
I am facing obstacles that are beyond my power to overcome
and neither I have wings to fly
I do not have the ability to escape these challenges
give me a boat that can carry two
I need help to get through this difficult time
and both shall row - my love and I
I am looking for someone to share this journey with me, someone who loves me
Now love is gentle, and love is kind
Love is a beautiful and tender thing
the sweetest flower when first it's new
Love is like a fresh bloom that fills us with joy and happiness
but love grows old, and waxes cold
Love can fade over time, losing its warmth and vitality
and fades away like morning dew
Love can disappear just as quickly as dew evaporates with the rising sun
There is a ship, she sails the sea
There are many opportunities out there in the world
she's loaded deep as deep can be
These opportunities are vast and plentiful
but not as deep as the love I'm in
However, none of these opportunities can compare to the depth of the love I have for my partner
I know not how I sink or swim
Despite this love, I am uncertain about the future and how I will fare amidst these obstacles
and both shall row - my love and I
Nevertheless, I am determined to face these challenges with the support of my partner, who I love dearly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind