Musical Monday: The Water Is Wide

Someone suggested this song for me a couple of months ago, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to handle it. I had a thought today to add some texture to it to make it a bit more haunting, as if it were being sung out in the woods at night while standing on the bank of a river.
That second person in the boat changes as we face different circumstances. This week I felt accompanied by both a good husband and by the Lord, as they took turns sitting beside me rowing.
Life is good. And even when the water is wide we can cross over. It's possible.

The water is wide, I cannot cross o'er.
And neither have I wings to fly.
Give me a boat that will carry two,
And both shall row. My love and I.

A ship there is, 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 if I sink or swim.

Oh love be handsome, and love be kind.
Gay as a jewel when first it's new.
But love grows old and waxes cold,
And fades away like the morning dew.

The water is wide. I cannot cross o'er.
Neither have I wings to fly.
Give me a boat that can carry two,
And both shall row. My love and I.

The Water Is Wide


Kazzy's voice has been silenced by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act(see the details here). Sorry you can't listen to her sing directly. But send her a message and she'll try to work something out.

15 comments

Juliana | March 1, 2009 at 8:52 PM

Love it! Great work! :)

Heidi | March 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM

Very haunting! Love it! Is this an Irish melody? I know I have heard it before . . . (I listen to a lot of Celtic music).

Kazzy | March 1, 2009 at 11:00 PM

Yes, this is a Celtic folk ballad. Beautiful simple melody line. Glad you liked it!

Little GrumpyAngel | March 1, 2009 at 11:54 PM

You lent it such an ethereal quality, it's almost haunting in it's beauty. You are not just a good singer. You are an artist.

I am not worthy to be a follower, but I'll follow your blog anyway :-)

CHERRANNE | March 2, 2009 at 1:24 AM

KAZ- How beautiful! Love Celtic ballads. I am not worthy either to follow your blog! You are too much, you and your set of pipes. Kaz-tastic. p.s. I was glad to see the celebrated blonde streak in person!

Linde | March 2, 2009 at 9:32 AM

That is so cool the way you did that!!

April | March 2, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Great interpretation of this song. I loved it!

Luann | March 2, 2009 at 11:17 AM

I'm nuts for Celtic folk culture, and I can't seem to get enough of these musical Monday's, so it's a perfect combo.

Wonderfully haunting.

Heather of the EO | March 2, 2009 at 7:16 PM

You have such a gift...SUCH a gift. And I love it.

Lanie | March 2, 2009 at 8:24 PM

Just beautiful AGAIN Love, Mom

wendy | March 2, 2009 at 9:10 PM

LOVE IT!!!! I have always loved that song---can't remember who I first heard sing it. Kazzy I love your voice --thanks for sharing.

Brooke Chapman | March 3, 2009 at 8:41 AM

I'm from Chicago, I was baptized about 2 1/2 years ago.

Dona | March 4, 2009 at 1:39 AM

I stumbled on to your blog as I was blog hopping tonight. Very fun. I love that song. James Taylor has a version and so does John McCutcheon (one of my favorite storytellers). I like your version too. It's nice to get to know someone a little better via a blog. Especially when they only live a stone's throw away.

charrette | March 4, 2009 at 5:57 PM

Hauntingly beautiful. Move over, Enya!

Midge | March 9, 2009 at 9:23 AM

Just listened. I think the word to describe is haunting. I know it's been used before, but it so fits. Loved it.