Jason Paul · The song collection17th Century
The Water Is Wide
The performance
2 recordingsPerformance 1
The Water Is Wide [17th Century] – Scottish Traditional | Jason Paul
July 30, 2026
Lyrics and chords
Intro
D G D
Verse
The water is wide,G I can't cross Do'er G D
Nor do AI BmhaveG light wings to Afly
Build me a F#mboat that can carry Bmtwo G
And both shall Arow,A7 my love and DI
Verse
A ship there isG and sails the Dsea G D
She's loaAded Bmdeep,G as deep can Abe
But not so F#mdeep as the love I'm Bmin G
And I know not Ahow,A7 I sink or Dswim
Instrumental
D G D Bm G A
A F#m Bm G A A7 D
Verse
When love is youngG and love is Dfine G D
It's like Aa BmgemG when first it's Anew
But love grows F#mold and waxes Bmcold G
And fades aAwayA7 like the morning Ddew
Verse
The water is wide,G I can't cross Do'er G D
Nor do AI BmhaveG light wings to Afly
Build me a F#mboat that can carry Bmtwo G
And both shall Arow,A7 my love and DI__G___D_