Medley: The Water Is Wide / Deep River

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of an insurmountable obstacle, the "water is wide," separating the speaker from their beloved. This isn't just a physical barrier; the absence of "wings to fly" emphasizes a profound sense of helplessness. The immediate plea to "Build me a boat that will carry two" reveals a desperate hope for shared effort, a partnership to overcome the divide, with both rowing "my love and I." The second section introduces a grander, perhaps more spiritual, metaphor of a ship "loaded deep," yet it pales in comparison to the depth of the speaker's love. This contrast highlights the overwhelming nature of their affection, leading to a disorienting state where they "know not how I sink or swim." The introduction of "Deep river" shifts the focus, introducing a longing for a spiritual destination, "campground" over "jordan." The repeated invocation of "Deep river" and the desire to "cross over into campground" suggests a yearning for peace and belonging, a "gospel feast" in a "promised land." This spiritual quest is framed by the initial obstacle of the wide water, implying that crossing this profound divide, whether literal or metaphorical, is a journey towards ultimate peace and reunion. The final repetition of the boat-building plea brings the personal and the spiritual back together, suggesting that the love shared is the very vessel needed for this ultimate crossing.