The water is wide, I can't swim o'er
And neither have, I wings to fly
Build me a boat, that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I

There is a ship, and she sails the sea.
She sails so deep, as deep can be..
But not so deep, as the love I knew..
I know not how, to sink or swim..

I leaned my back against an oak
Thinking it was the strongest tree.
But first it bent, and then it broke
And that's the way love treated me

For love is handsome, and love is fine.
And love's a jewel, when first it's new.
But love grows old, and it waxes cold
And it fades away, like morning dew.

Refrain

When salt sea (I can't recall the rest of this line)
And mussels grow on every tree.
When cockle shells be Christmas bells
Then would I lose my love for thee

The water is wide, I can't swim o'er
And neither have I wings to fly.
Build me a boat, that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
And both shall row....my love and I.....