[Verse 1] The water is wide, I cannot get o'er And neither have I wings to fly. O go and get me some little boat, To carry o'er my true love and I. [Verse 2] A-down in the meadows the other day A-gath'ring flow'rs both fine and gay A-gath'ring flowers, both red and blue, I little thought what love could do. [Verse 3] I put my hand into one soft bush, Thinking the sweetest flow'r to find. I prick'd my finger to the bone And left the sweetest flow'r alone. [Verse 4] I lean'd my back up against some oak, Thinking it was a trusty tree. But first he bended then he broke, So did my love prove false to me. [Verse 5] Where love is planted, O there it grows, It buds and blossoms like some rose; It has a sweet and pleasant smell, No flow'r on earth can it excel. [Verse 6] O love is handsome and love is fine, And love is charming when it is true; As it grows older it groweth colder And fades away like the morning dew. [Verse 7] Must I be bound, O and she go free! Must I love one thing that does not love me! Why should I act such a childish part, And love a girl that will break my heart. [Verse 8] There is a ship sailing on the sea, She's loaded deep as deep can be, But not so deep as in love I am; I care not if I sink or swim. [Verse 9] The water is wide, I cannot get over, There's no true love, at least not for me, My love was untrue but I can't complain, Some day I hope to love again.
