The Chicago-born singer-songwriter, was discovered by Kris Kristofferson. He collaborated with close friend John Prine throughout his career. His superb guitar ability (honed at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music) and creative songwriting ability led him to success in the 1970s folk scene. Often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always unpredictable, Steve Goodman was the consummate performer whether in a small Chicago venue, Austin City Limits, or opening for Steve Martin (and often stealing the show!). Steve is probably best known for his song "City of New Orleans", which was later covered by Arlo Guthrie among others. He has also been covered by Jimmy Buffett and many others. Steve was the ultimate suffering Chicago Cub fan, writing the songs "Go, Cubs, Go" and the unfortunately very true "A Dying Cub Fans Last Request".
Steve's life was cut short in 1984 by leukemia, but fortunately an extensive catalog remains, including the recently released, "Live at the Earl" as well as the DVD "Steve Goodman Live at Austin City Limits and More."
The Water Is Wide
Steve Goodman Lyrics
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I can't cross over
And neither have
I wings to fly
Build me a boat
That can carry two
And both shall row
My love and i
There is a ship
And she sails the sea
She's loaded deep
As deep can be
But not so deep
As the love I'm in
I know not how
I sink or swim
Oh love is handsome
And love is fine
The sweetest flower
When first it's new
But love grows old
And waxes cold
And fades away
Like summer dew
I lean my back against some oak
thinking it was a trusty tree
but first it bent
and then it broke
as my own love
proved false to me
Build me a boat
That can carry two
And both shall row
My love and i
And both shall row
My love and i
Love grows cold
as it grows old
'till it fades away
like the morning dew
and the water is wide
I can't cross over
neither have I wings to fly
build me a boat
that can carry two
both shall roll
my love and I
we both shall roll
my love and I
In Steve Goodman's song "The Water is Wide," the singer is expressing his desire to cross the wide water, but he cannot do so alone. He asks for a boat that can carry two, as he wishes to cross the water with his love. The singer acknowledges the futility of his situation as he does not have "wings to fly" and, therefore, needs a boat to carry him over the water. The lyrics, "There is a ship, and she sails the sea, she's loaded deep, as deep can be," speak to the depth of his love, which he believes to be deeper than any ship that sails the sea. He is emotionally connected to his love, but he does not know how to navigate the situation, leading him to feel as though he is sinking or swimming.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes the inevitability of change, and that love is not always permanent. He acknowledges that "love grows old and waxes cold" and often fades away like "summer dew." The final verse speaks to the singer's realization that what he thought was dependable and trustworthy, his love for another, has betrayed him. He compares his love to a tree that first bent and then broke. Despite this, the singer's love remains, and he wishes to cross the wide water with his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
The water is wide
The river or stream being crossed is too wide for me to cross.
I can't cross over
I am unable to cross the river or stream by myself.
And neither have I wings to fly
I do not have the ability to fly over the river/stream.
Build me a boat
I request assistance in building a boat.
That can carry two
The boat needs to be able to carry two people.
And both shall row
Both individuals in the boat will be responsible for rowing.
My love and I
The other person in the boat is someone I love.
There is a ship
There is a ship sailing on the sea.
And she sails the sea
The ship is currently sailing on the sea.
She's loaded deep
The ship is carrying a heavy load.
As deep can be
The ship is carrying a load as deep as it can carry.
But not so deep
The ship's load is not as deep as the love I feel.
As the love I'm in
The love I feel is deeper than the ship's load.
I know not how
I am unsure of how to deal with the depth of my love.
I sink or swim
I must deal with my love either successfully or unsuccessfully.
Oh love is handsome
Love is attractive and pleasant in the beginning.
And love is fine
Love is excellent and of superior quality.
The sweetest flower
Love can be compared to a sweet, fragrant flower.
When first it's new
Love is at its best when it is fresh and new.
But love grows old
Love becomes less attractive over time.
And waxes cold
Love cools down and becomes less passionate.
And fades away
Love disappears gradually over time.
Like summer dew
Love fades away quickly, like dew on a summer morning.
I lean my back against some oak
I trusted and relied on a sturdy oak tree for support.
thinking it was a trusty tree
I believed that the oak tree was reliable and dependable.
but first it bent
The oak tree showed some signs of weakness or instability.
and then it broke
The oak tree ultimately failed and broke under my weight.
as my own love
Similar to the trust I put in the oak tree, I also trusted in my own love.
proved false to me
I was let down or disappointed by my own love.
both shall roll
Both of us will be responsible for rowing the boat.
Love grows cold
Love becomes less passionate over time.
as it grows old
As time passes, love becomes less appealing.
'till it fades away
Eventually, love will disappear completely.
like the morning dew
Love fades away quickly, like dew on a morning.
neither have I wings to fly
I am unable to fly over the river or stream.
we both shall roll
Both individuals in the boat will be responsible for rowing.
my love and I
The other person in the boat is someone I love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: TRADITIONAL, JEAN-PAUL CABRIERES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind