the water is wide

from Telling Tales by Janette Geri

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such a jewel of a song, so perfectly capturing love and loss. the traditional lyrics seem to be adapted from a Robbie burns poem, and there are many versions of this song around. there's about 20 verses i'm told, but the 'martmas wind' verse is not often heard. these verses resonate most for me. this song connects me to my own feelings of greatest loss, but I find there is great comfort in such a song as this, one that answers the spirit and seems to enfold you.
may it long continue to bring comfort.

lyrics

the water is wide, and I can't cross o'er
neither have I wings to fly
oh give me a boat that can 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 this well i'm in
I know not if I sink or swim

I put my hand into a bush
thinking the sweetest flower to find
I cut my hand right to the bone
and had to leave the flower behind

oh martimas wind, when will thou blow
and shake the green leaves from the tree
oh gentle death when will you come
and take this life that wearies me

oh but love is handsome and love is kind
and love's a jewel when first it's new
but love grows old, oh and it grows cold
and then fades away lime morning dew

credits

from Telling Tales, released November 2, 2007
arrangement ~ janette geri

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Janette Geri VIC, Australia

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