The Water Is Wide(Traditional)with lyrics-Karla Bonoff

[bigmarty56]

I like this one.

[xxxXHarry120Xxx]

chimngensumadre

[PhiloAmericana]

Beautiful.

[keifersatyou]

Thanks for posting this. One of the very best renditions of this beautiful song. Fantastic accordion solo.

[MrDanbloom]

I like music!! Music is common language I think.

I want to listen to beautiful music that I've never done.(*'-') .. ME TOO i agree! BRAVO

[juliekstroup]

Um a lot of the lyrics are messed up - are you an English speaker?

[akira818]

@juliekstroup No,I'm a Japanese. I'm sorry to make a lot of mistakes in this song.

[MrDanbloom]

@akira818 I LOVE IT...your song transcends language BRAVO!

[burpo]

@akira818 You need not apologize. You do a wonderful thing. Many people in the United States criticize others for their imperfect English, when they themselves speak poor English and that is their only language. Be well and bless you.

[geoffk54]

I saw Karla perform this at the Don Gibson Theater in Morganton, NC. I think this was in 2009. She was accompanied by Kenny Edwards. I always had a crush on her and told her so at the end of the concert as she and Kenny autographed one of her albums for me. Kenny produced and played on that album. It sounds like James Taylor is accompanying her on the chorus. That concert was wonderful! This song is so beautiful!!!

[superhottie4u]

omg this is like the solo im doing for chorus lessons! i like it

[esletter49]

I am feeling best beautiful song, I love so much.

[JJF10101957]

Fifteen people dislike this?Are they human?I really do not belong here!

[ystme]

water is wide って、海は繋がってるって意味だと思ってた。哀しみの水辺って邦­題がついてるんや。

(Posted by Youtube Stream for iPhone (yst.me) on behalf of sayuri8703 at twitter)

[SADIASLM961]

a beutiful song!!!

[themadaboutmusic]

dislike this song? Find yourselves a bottle of Prozac or a nearest shrink available.

You're in a deepest state of depression.

[darkarkrim]

lol i remember this song from choir in highschool

[vinylgroovs]

This beautiful song goes out to my sweet baby tonight. I love you!

[xianneh]

This was sung at Russell Crowe's wedding :))

[dylanelvis]

This is one of the absolute best renditions ever of this beautiful song. Many other singers have done it well, but Karla is just terrific and timeless. Check out Masaake Kishibe's version also.

[jeneshisu1st]

とても綺麗な声♪

[michaelpttt]

By far, the best version done that I've heard so far was performed at lilith fair by Jewel, Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan,...

[outthr]

@michaelpttt I agree.

[lennonmori]

Very good song!

Thank you!

@lennonmori

[sharonbuffett]

this is - beyond a doubt - the most beautiful version of this song ever!

[dothinktwice1]

@sharonbuffett - nice, yes, but maybe you haven't James Taylor's yet.

[11carlie]

I believe it is 'and both shall row'

[scoreyourlife]

I love this version. Karla's voice is so pure- with such a sad warm tone. I have all of her cd's- I wish she would record more.

[iw32]

14 people swim in shallow water.

[littlemonion]

can I ask who sang the original version?

[mrdanengland]

We need a revival of English folk music.

[magiamalina]

I think the best version of this beautiful song are Charlotte Church's and the live performance of Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan and Jewel at the Lilith Fair. This version is sweet.

[Lowden025]

Just got here and haven t ..don't want to backtrack to past posts...but FYI James Taylor plays guitar behind Karla's guitar here and Garth Hudson from The Band plays accordian, and J D Souther sings backup with JT and Garth at the end..a longgg time ago. One of my favorite albums, yeah vinyl, of all time. She kicks ass on this record

[Ebonyivorymusic]

I was referred to this version. Heard Liz Ryan singing this song too. This is brillaint. Lovely song. Wayne

[mokacode]

Chilling....

[ReptileZaterran]

This version is beautifull, but nobody Sings this music better than the Angel of the Music HAYLEY WESTENRA!!!!!!!!

[caseya211]

you fucked up the lyrics so much

[TheAjs1944]

what a fantastic version of this beautiful song .never heard of this singer before.lovely voice and some really nice guitar playing too thanks so much for posting.

[tonyharwood]

I've never heard of her and I don't know why, I really look forward to finding more music by her, this version of the water is wide is terrific!

[DrSamba1]

@tonyharwood I got into her during my college years in the 1970s, and saw her perform in the late 1980s. I lost a couple of her recordings in a house fire about ten years ago and had kind of forgotten about her until just rediscovering her recently.

[Okinaful]

Like her "The Water Is Wide" best.

[whitedevilmom]

great, song, been around for a long time, 1800,s Karla ,does, a beautiful, version, thanks

[miss18]

Listening to this beautiful song really brought tears to my eyes.

[RLmidnight]

in the part where it goes "and boat shall row" it's actually "both shall row" just hoping u can change that part

[sirpaulmccartney1]

BEAUTIFUL .

[pocobasso]

Only Karla could manage to get both James Taylor and JD Souther to do back-up vocals..... only the best.

[PocoPortillo]

@pocobasso

She toured with James Taylor as an opening act back in 82'. Karla was awesome at Redrocks,CO as was Taylor.

[MrDanny30525]

Terrific and fabulous. Karla is my favorite version.

[MyFranlove]

Saw her back in the late 70's in Tuscaloosa, AL. Songs so beautiful .Simple beauty & true talent.

[PocoPortillo]

I always come back to Karla's music. She melts my heart every time I hear her sing.

[3possumpie]

i really like this song its soo perfect for ireland its wat wer made of

[bernardkulche]

Breathtaking interpretation..

[JDvorak2009]

I really think I heard James Taylor in the background vocals. very beautiful song!

[PocoPortillo]

After all these years I still have a crush on Karla Bonoff....: )

[iw32]

I have this version on the soundtrack of Thirtysomething.Beautiful!

[ScotlandMy]

My favorite version. :  )

[paulo88wolsztyn]

wonderful ,

[usenetposts]

Lovely, but I don't see why I should give her a boat. She can either buy her own or hire one like everyone else.

[bigmarty56]

@usenetposts Are you a professional idiot?

[usenetposts]

@bigmarty56 I'm not in that profession, I'm afraid - only part qualified as I don't have a low enough intellect. But if you put in a good word for me in the inner circle I may get accepted one day.

[bigmarty56]

@usenetposts UNMENSA I get it, cool!

[TheLions67]

listen to her all day

[enswal]

The accordian work on this song is amazing as well. Nothing beats this version.

[BadLeaders]

I think it's amazing that a woman's water breaks during her pregnancy and she's able to sing about it!

[john9944]

Karla-what else is there? An excellent song writer and and an interpreter.  Her version of "Home" is an all-time classic.

[silverinkpot7]

Just beautiful!

[richstout]

This is great. Not only does James sound great singing, but his guitar playing on this is unbelievable. Great complement to Karla's own sounds.

[Mongo1940]

I have never heard of this woman until this post. Amazing. Beautiful singer, composer and woman. She sings this one as good as it can be sung. Had I known about her years ago I would have followed her singing to this day.

[Mongo1940]

Beautiful. the harmony gives me chills.

[momotaro0314]

素晴らしい！！



[kei19690113]

Very very nice!! Thank you. (TS)

[kei19690113]

Very very nice!! Thank you. (TS)

[ziyou1969]

Absolutely breathtaking.

[rpscot]

This song's been done by many over the years but, NOBODY does it better than Karla Bonoff. Everything she does is MAGIC. Too many years she was overlooked being the songwriter of hits for Linda Rondstadt (among others) to make popular and take accolades for. It is way past time for everyone to get turned on to Karla.

I had the pleasure of seeing her. If you have the chance GO!!! I have everything she has done over her career. Everything she does is amazing!! THANKS FOR THE POSTING! Loved it!

[akira818]

@rpscot thank for your comment!!

[luv4parrots]

@akira818 My absolute favorite Karla song! NO one sings it better! I have seen her 3 times in concert. I would give anything to see her again.

[ItsuroKashiwagi]

@rpscot Very good version indeed. I also like this version very much:

watch?v=K-deA4jb-pE

[jaybug123100]

@rpscot lol i know im with you

[billybacarra]

@rpscot I love Karla Bonoff. Thanks for posting this beautiful song.

[tjmc188]

@rpscot Soooo right. Cheryl Crowe is a beautiful singer, but Karla has her own special tenderness about her words with her music. When I saw her open for Jackson Browne in 1978, I heard her songs she had written / recorded by Linda, and wow, it really gave the songs "Karla=life"

I am forever thankful to UTube for giving us the opportunity to hear the collection of songs, some in which I've never heard,of this angelic voice of Karla Bonoff.

TJMc

[tjmc188]

@rpscot Yes! I see what you mean. Nobody can perform an emotion in music like Karla can write and sing. I am so hooked on her precious voice and complimenting words and tunes. I have to hear it everyday to feel complete. Thanks for being you, Karla!!! You are second to none!!! Appaud!!!!! TJMc

[benjaminlhaines]

@tjmc188 I agree that this is an excellent performance. I especially like the way James Taylor blends his harmony vocals in the the final verse. However, it seems an overstatement to say "Nobody can perform an emotion in music like Karla can write and sing." In this case, for example, she didn't write this song. And there are many amazingly emotive singers in this world. Anyway, yeah; it's great!

[benjaminlhaines]

@tjmc188 Listen to the tension and resolution in James Taylor's harmony vocal from 4:00 to 4:03. That's what really makes this recording for me.

[hrothgleas]

@rpscot I saw her back in the day with Jackson Browne on the Running on Empty tour. He was great - but she very definitely stole the show.

[markmartel]

@rpscot I agree. This is the best version of this beautiful song.

[markmartel]

@rpscot I agree. This is the best version of this beautiful song.  Horrible accordion solo though, unfortunately.

[ladyfuschia]

@rpscot You're lucky that you got to see her! Her voice is awesome in so many ways. I sing along and it feels so good even if I sound bad. Beautiful song!!

[bobby7771117]

@rpscot I absolutely agree with you! Sincerely, BobbyK And I have confused her voice with Linds Ronstadt's voice because she has such a great and pretty voice! Sincerely, BobbyK

[fgoodwin8578]

@rpscot : I bought this LP when I was in grad school back in '79. The song was awesome then and it still brings a tear to my eye now, and I'm 56 years old. Karla Bonoff is simply awesome.

[bobby7771117]

@rpscot I agree with you! Everything Karla Bonoff does is magical! I really love this so talented singer/songwriter/musician ,and precious human being! BobbyK

[daciavous]

@NAMDOG54--good ears--that is James Taylor in the background. (And on the guitar)

[candipandipal12]

we have to sing this in chorus at my school.......

[salenatonguyen]

@candipandipal12 me too!

[nightgrooveruk]

SO BEAUTIFUL GENTLE AS A MOTHERS LOVE :)

[anniefroese]

What a beautiful interpretation of this traditional song.... Hauntingly beautiful.

[Cigaraholic]

I love this.

[fearlessbetz]

I am loving her version!

[arundelthomas]

wendy waldman and karla are are the 2 unrecognized oops and laura nyro writers and singers

[maleake56]

Thanks so much for posting this. In this era of over-the-top, American Idol style singing, it's refreshing to hear a vocal that is genuine and free of affectation. I had the pleasure of seeing Karla Bonoff live when she was touring as an opening act in support of her first album in the late '70s. She's long been a favorite of mine and this particular rendition of this old traditional folk song has always made me misty eyed.

[auntiewewe2]

Beautiful!!!

[NAMDOG54]

No one does this song like Karla, beautiful. sounds like james taylor in the background.??

[RonDeanP]

Breathgiving

[rossahhill]

correction Carrickfergus, Bryan Ferry does a good (shortened ) version on youtube.

[rossahhill]

this is based on an old Irish song "The river is wide" also known as 'Garrick Fergus'

the original is better, less sentimental and has no chorus.

[fanchbrezoneg]

great performance !!! but Karla is not known in France, I dont know the reason why !

[mrbrenz]

Spot on post!

Thank You.

[funkandgroovin]

the accordian track in this song is pretty groovy. lovely a song it is.

[swedishknight106]

what a lovely version...I miss Karla Bonoff's voice on my radio

[Albertan1956]

Karla has one of the most beautiful voices ever recorded!

[Wanch1e1ady]

This is just the right version. First heard it briefly in the film Boun ty in the 80's. Loved it since. I think it appropriate for those who are sweparated by the wars that go just now. Not your thoughts of cours onlymine.

[Gampaman]

Mistake in the Lyrics. "and BOTH shall row" NOT "and BOAT shall row" Thanks

[RedHeadedBishiesROCK]

Karla rocks this song

[Hummr2000]

This song holds special meaning for me. I listen to the cd with this quite often. I went so far as to look up what I believe are the original lyrics and there are several verses. Wish she had done them all. Thanks for posting.

[patcaddagh]

this song helped me breake free from rome. and i found the love of my life. Thank You

[lilacangel32]

thank you for post this version with lyric

[akira818]

@lilacangel32 Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｆｏｒ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｃｏｍｍｅｎｔ!!

[kkp21212]

@akira818 i like ur font :D

[avaturge]

too slow

i hate it

[valvetrom]

@avaturge you live to fast

[jessfanpire]

I sang this song solo for a choir competition and won a medal

[Ashlynn12347]

hehe need to memorize this song for choir!! :)

[magicianmusician21]

this is not the traditional song.

the lyrics have been altered a hell of alot.

[chaicm100]

thank...for this song I think it so sweet

[absey11]

this song is so beautiful xx im going to sing it infront of loads of people xx

[Whitetiger713]

I really love this version of the song thank you for uploading and sharing it

[akira818]

@Whitetiger713 thank for your comment!!

[TheChaplinLover]

This one's a keeper!

[davepamn]

A beautiful voice

Listen to JohnTArgyle version

[hockeytown316]

accompanying was James Taylor and JD Sutherland

[benjaminlhaines]

It's a deep, wistful, longing melancholy that this song triggers through the magic of words and music. [the music of words...and the words of music?]. For what it's worth, I can play and sing this song. After a while, as a performer, one has to stop the crying and get on with the singing and playing. But I know exactly what you are talking about

[Bouncybon]

Yes - isn't that extraordinary, Benjamin? No matter how many times you listen to this version you never get tired of it. Never.

It stops me in my tracks and I have stop what I'm doing and give it my full attention......

And when James Taylor comes in - the tears roll down my cheeks. Why? Why IS that?

[Schnappi1936]

at my age Thanks for the memory.

[mmagliaro]

What a gem. I just dug out my old vinyl copy of her album, Restless Nights (pictured in the video) to play it again. Karla Bonoff was one of those great unsung songwriters. She wrote the masterpiece "Lose Again", recorded by Linda Ronstadt.

[1234554321sh]

And BOTH shall row... not boat... :)

Besides that, very good. I love this song. I'm singing it for a district competition at my school. :)

[richfincm]

Karla Bonoff is/was such a great songwriter. I have a CD of hers around here somewhere. Such a pure, clear vocal.  Thanks for uploading. :)

[akira818]

thank for your comment!!

[benjaminlhaines]

Yes, that is a beautiful track. I once got stuck in a car for a long several hour drive from Pusan to Seoul (Korea) with one mixed tape on repeat. This recording was the only one I didn't get sick of, but looked forward to each time.

[tymccll]

@richfincm While she is quite talented, she did not create this song. While you may not have intended to imply that, I didn't want others to think so either.

[richfincm]

@tymccll :  I am aware of that. Thanks for your comment. Have a nice day! :)

[NAMDOG54]

@tymccll some traditional songs are so old that no one knows who wrote them...........as with this song......anyone familiar with this ballad or with karla most likely knows that.......

[NRMNDANY]

Après avoir écouté les différentes interprétations de cette chanson, ma préférence va à Karla. Un grand merci en provenance de Nouméa (New-Caledonia)

[Soni62]

so beautiful!

Many thanks from Italy.

[akira818]

Thank for your comment!!

[garr9085]

What a song-when James Taylor joins in on Harmony it is almost unreal-and the instramental part-is that an accordian?

[benjaminlhaines]

@garr9085

I hear you on that 100%

I wander why akira818 didn't use the correct lyrics. ..."and both shall row" [not 'and boat shall row'] whatever.

[Bouncybon]

I agree, mychiefs58 - (never heard of Karla) but this version is pretty much perfect. Part of its success is the guitar - its not too elaborate. It just provides the classic harmonies for this ancient and magical song.

[benjaminlhaines]

Right; that would be James Taylor [on both guitar harmonies and vocal harmonies. Superb.

[oscargoya]

Breathtakingly beautiful and elegant. How can you compare this with today's so-called music? Ethereal and eternal.

[mokacode]

traditionnals never die because they're the expression of something true and genuine in human's heart....

[bigmarty56]

You're right. But, if that were not true, they wouldn't be "traditionals", no? It gets down to how one defines Art. The expression of emotion? Well, "Ouch" is that. So is "Love Story". So it goes beyond that. Try it, you'll be flummoxed. A US Supreme Court Justice once said, re pornography, "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it."

Kinda similar---and ain't that a shame?

[bigmarty56]

@bluago  You have your view, I have mine. --In my opiniion, you are very wrong, But, that;s life no? Neither one of us are "The Final Arbiter!"

[bigmarty56]

@bluago Let's try this----"Eeeny, Meeney, Mineee, Moe...." is, by your definition, "art", a poem. My guess is that you would agree that Dante's Inferno is also a poem---or anything by Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, Frost, etc. Are you really saying that you think they all have the same qualitative value? Using Hitler for ANY comparison is not fair, incidentally, in my opinion.

[GOROGORODAKE]

カーラ・ボノフ。

いい感じです。

一緒に歌とともにたゆたう、そんな感じ。

[friek74]

ah! yes yes yes! this is the version I used to have on tape ages ago! thank you!!!!

[meinliebedani]

Fiquei sem palavras quando ouvi esta versão...Quem me dera ter sido eu a escrevê-la e dedicá-la à unica e eterna pessoa que amo, Dani...

Ainda bem que isto existe...deixa-me tranquilo só de saber que algo tão bonito possa fazer parte de mim..agora..

Obrigado por existires Dani..

Amo-te profundamente

[GuinnevereB]

James Taylor's harmony adds exquisite beauty to an already beautiful lead vocal by Karla Bonoff, sung to simple but haunting guitar accompaniment. What a lovely, lovely rendition of a sweet, melancholy old ballad.

[Broaart]

very beautiful song.

5*****!!!

[mokacode]

this melody was recurrently played in a piano arrangement version as the main theme of a TV documentary series  about WW2 untitled "the War"(Ken Burns).Absence...So far away from home....

[57johncc]

Presumably this song has been part of the public domain for hundreds of years? If so, it's amazing how it seems written perfectly for Karla. And with James Taylor vocals it demonstrates that a lead vocalist can harmonize like no other.

[mychiefs58]

i've heard probably 20 different versions of this song, as it's one of my favorites for it's simplicity and poignant lyrics. one of my favorite artists of all time, eva cassidy does it very well. and yet...

this is easily the best version i've ever heard. i'd never heard of karla bonoff before finding this arrangement. certainly james taylor's part adds to it, but karla seems to connect the tune to the depth of the lyrics better than anyone else i've heard. i'm quite glad i found it.

[andro7k]

this is the best version i heard.....its just so heartwarming song.....love the song ang the voice.

[andyb2707]

A thing of beauty...love the use of the accordion and the harmony vocal.

[Ehianten]

Beautiful version i'm not sure this is really the traditional version but I like this a lot especially the duet.... Great arrangement...

[TomVelu]

James Tayor does the most popular version of this traditional song. Those seeking similar quality songs should catch Taylor's "Lonesome Road" and "I Will Follow." His "New Hymn" from 2002's OCTOBER ROAD isn't bad, either..

[Subminiman]

Very beautiful version, so far have this song by my dear Eva Cassidy who bangs this out and makes me cry, then to The Irish Women, and then to JT james taylor. A beautiful slow variation from a wonderful artist- Thank You.

[xxmannie2008xx]

Great song! I've sang it many times & this is slower than the original, but so beautiful this way!!!

[prettyboy7xxx]

Wow! this is such a very beautiful song.....I cant believe I haven't heard such a nice song before,I just clicked it by accident......thank God, it really touched my heart, so uplifting.

Does anybody knows some song as beautiful and pure as this, any suggestions?, thanks.

[7thingsgirl]

"Stand Together"  and

"Reaching for Heaven" by: Diana DeGarmo

[nollaig57]

try jerry lynchs version of the diming of the day

[bgtyhm]

Hey, I have a question.

Does anyone know what the chord progression is when she sings "But love grows cold and waxes old"?

I'd really appreciate it if someone told me, because I can't figure it out.

[newporter42]

@bgtyhm

Hi, coming into the phrase on the A chord... one way to play it is ...

"but love grows old" (F#m guitar 2-4-4-2-2-2 move to D7 x-x-0-2-1-2)

"and waxes cold" (G moves to Em)

The note she sings against the G chord is actually G-flat. Guitar chord can be 3-2-0-0-0-2 instead of G maj 3-2-0-0-0-3, or throw in D with F# in bass.

It's a great soulful line.

[cuerdassais]

bgtyhm, try F#m 2 4 4 2 2 2 then go to

x x 0 5 5 5 ( i don't know what chord this is, but try it anyway.

[cuerdassais]

check out ed gerhard's version on a drop d tuning, i had fun trying it out, the drop d bass line really added a deep dimension on the song