☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about love and the obstacles it must overcome.
- The singer wishes to have a boat to travel with their loved one.
- There is mention of a ship that doesn't sail as deep as love.
- The song lyrics express the longing for love and connection, but also the difficulties that can come with it.
- It is a song about the hope of a journey together through life, despite the obstacles.
Interpretation
In the lyrics of the song "The Water Is Wide" by
Pete Seeger, it is about love and the obstacles it must overcome. The singer describes that he cannot cross the wide water and he also does not have wings to fly. He wishes for a boat that has room for two, so that he can travel together with his beloved person.
There is also mention of a ship sailing across the sea. Although it sails in deep waters, it is not as deep as the love the singer feels. He does not know how to stay afloat, whether to sink or swim.
The singer tells of an incident where he leaned against a young tree, hoping it would be strong enough to hold him. But the tree broke, just like his false love for him.
The repeated line "The water is wide I can not cross over" shows the impossibility of overcoming the obstacles and bridging the distance between loved ones. The desire for a boat symbolizes the hope of facing the challenges together with the beloved person.
The lyrics express the longing for love and connection, but also the difficulties that this desire can bring. It is a song about the hope of a shared journey through life, despite the obstacles that stand in the way.