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The Water Is Wide

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The Water is Wide - Traditional
[Intro]
 D G Bm7  A7
[Chorus]
DThe water is wDide,    GI can’t cross oD'er.
DAnd neither Bm7have I      the wings to A7fly.
Build me a bDoat     that can carry G6two,
And both shall rA7ow,    my love and DI.
[Verse 1]
There is a shDip   Gand she sails the Dseas.
She's laden Bm7deep,    as deep cA7an be;
But not so deDep     as the love I'm G6in
And I know not  wheA7ther I sink or swDim.
[Verse 3]
O love is Dhandsome    Gand love is Dfine
Bright as a Bm7jewel    when first it's A7new
but love grows Dold      and waxes cG6old
And fades awA7ay    like the morning dDew.
D'Tis not the frost, Gthat freezes fDell,
Nor blowing sBm7nows  inclemenA7cy,
'Tis not such Dcold that makes me G6cry,
But my love's A7heart grown cold tDo me.
DI leaned my baDck, agGainst an oDak.
Dthinking it Bm7was a trusty tA7ree.
But first it bDent  and then it bG6roke,
So did my loveA7,  proved false to Dme.
DMust I go bounDd whilGe you go fDree
DMust I love Bm7a man who doesA7n't love me
Must I be bDorn with so little G6art
As to love somA7eone who'll break Dmy heart
DHad but I known, Gbefore I kiss'Dd,
DThat love woulBm7d be so ill to wiA7n,
I'd lock my hDeart in a case of gG6old,
And pin'd it A7with a silver Dpin.
[Chorus]
DThe water is wDide,    GI can’t cross oD'er.
DAnd neither Bm7have I      the wings to A7fly.
Build me a bDoat     that can carry G6two,
And both shall rA7ow,    my love and DI.

All chords in this song (5)

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The Water Is Wide

by Misc Traditional

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bm7

The Water is Wide - Traditional

[Intro]

D G Bm7 A7

[Chorus]

D D G D

The water is wide, I can’t cross o'er.

D Bm7 A7

And neither have I the wings to fly.

D G6

Build me a boat that can carry two,

A7 D

And both shall row, my love and I.

[Verse 1]

D G D

There is a ship and she sails the seas.

Bm7 A7

She's laden deep, as deep can be;

D G6

But not so deep as the love I'm in

A7 D

And I know not whether I sink or swim.

[Verse 3]

D G D

O love is handsome and love is fine

Bm7 A7

Bright as a jewel when first it's new

D G6

but love grows old and waxes cold

A7 D

And fades away like the morning dew.

D G D

'Tis not the frost, that freezes fell,

Bm7 A7

Nor blowing snows inclemency,

D G6

'Tis not such cold that makes me cry,

A7 D

But my love's heart grown cold to me.

D D G D

I leaned my back, against an oak.

D Bm7 A7

thinking it was a trusty tree.

D G6

But first it bent and then it broke,

A7 D

So did my love, proved false to me.

D D G D

Must I go bound while you go free

D Bm7 A7

Must I love a man who doesn't love me

D G6

Must I be born with so little art

A7 D

As to love someone who'll break my heart

D G D

Had but I known, before I kiss'd,

D Bm7 A7

That love would be so ill to win,

D G6

I'd lock my heart in a case of gold,

A7 D

And pin'd it with a silver pin.

[Chorus]

D D G D

The water is wide, I can’t cross o'er.

D Bm7 A7

And neither have I the wings to fly.

D G6

Build me a boat that can carry two,

A7 D

And both shall row, my love and I.

About The Water Is Wide Chords by Misc Traditional

Learn how to play The Water Is Wide by Misc Traditional with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Water Is Wide chords”, “The Water Is Wide guitar chords”, or “Misc Traditional The Water Is Wide chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Water Is Wide chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Water Is Wide lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, Bm7, A7, G6.

FAQ — The Water Is Wide by Misc Traditional

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What key is "The Water Is Wide" in?

The chords for "The Water Is Wide" show the original chord names (including D, G, Bm7, A7, G6). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.