The Water is Wide - English/Scottish Traditional

The Water is Wide

Learn English/Scottish ballad style
Practice deeply lyrical, contemplative playing
Master expressive phrasing and tone

About This Song

Origin: Traditional English/Scottish folk ballad

Difficulty: Advanced

Notes Used: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C (high)

Time Signature: 3/4

Key: C Major

Fingering Review

Full Song

A deeply contemplative ballad about love and separation. Play with tender, expressive character.

Practice Tips

Contemplative character: This is a song of reflection and longing - play with deep feeling
Gentle 3/4 time: The waltz rhythm should flow naturally and gently
Lyrical tone: Use your most singing, expressive tone
Simple beauty: The power is in the simplicity - don't over-complicate

Practice Exercises

Practice the opening phrase with expressive tone.

Master the gentle descent to C.

Practice reaching high C expressively.

Practice the closing phrase.

Play the full ballad with tender expression.

Historical Context

The Water is Wide (also known as "O Waly, Waly") is a traditional English/Scottish folk ballad dating back to at least the 1600s. The song speaks of love, betrayal, and the impossibility of crossing a wide body of water without help - a metaphor for life's difficulties and broken relationships. The melody has been used with various lyrics over the centuries. It became widely known in the 20th century through folk music revival recordings. The song's simple, haunting melody and universal themes of love and loss have made it enduringly popular. It's frequently performed at weddings (ironically, given the sad lyrics) and has been recorded by countless artists across many genres.

Performance Goal: Play with tender, contemplative expression. Use beautiful tone and gentle phrasing. Let the melody speak of longing and reflection with simple, heartfelt sincerity.

Next Steps

Once you can play this confidently, try:

Adding your own subtle rubato for expression
Playing very gently to enhance the intimate character
Learning "Auld Lang Syne" to complete Book 1!