Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'

Subject: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Melanie
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 03:20 PM

I am told that there are lyrics from Psalms to the tune of "The Water is Wide". Is anyone out there familiar with this version? I'm sorry, I don't know the name of the song. If someone knows the lyrics I'm spoeaking of and would post them here it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

---

Threads on this song:

• The Water is Wide - one more time!
• Waly, Waly - Water is Wide
• Water is wide: song history request
• Lyr Req: HELP! Version of WATER IS WIDE
• Help: Looking for recording of Water is Wide
• The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
• The Water Is Wide - Waly Waly
• The River Is Wide.....My Love and I
  

  Digital Tradition

• WATER IS WIDE
• WHEN COCKLESHELLS TURN SILVER BELLS (Waly, Waly)
• WALY, WALY 2
• WALY, WALY 3
• WALY WALY (JAMIE DOUGLAS)
• OF LATE I'VE BEEN DRIVEN NEAR CRAZY

(Not an all-inclusive list. Some say Carrickfergus is a version of this song.)

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: anne....
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 05:33 PM

I only know the Carrickfergus version, I gues it's not what you want.

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Helge
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 07:13 PM

There is a version in Norwegian,called " Så brei en elv", translated and recorded by the folksinger called Lillebjørn Nilsen. He was also a member of a bluegrassband called "fusel & Blågress"

Helge E-mail: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: DonMeixner
Date: 16 Nov 98 - 10:07 PM

Melanie,

I'm only framiliar with the version " Wailie Wailie" which I know to be older than "The Water Is Wide". I can't recall any lyrics that are similar to the 23rd Psalm in it tho'.

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 12:08 AM

Check the forum for Waly Waly there's an old thread back there on this & relatives. Barry

Subject: Lyr Add: PSALM 42 (AS THE DEER LONGS)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 03:27 AM

Here's one:

PSALM 42 (AS THE DEER LONGS)
tune: O Waly, Waly
text: Danna Harkin, copyright 1975 by Word, Inc.

As the deer longs for flowing streams
So longs my soul for you, O God
My soul does thirst for the living God
When shall I come to see your face?

My tears have fed me day and night,
While some have said, "Where is your God?"
But I recall as my soul pours dry,
The days of praise within your house.

Why do I mourn and toil within,
When it is mine to hope in God?
I shall again sing praise to him,
He is my help, he is my God.


Kinda pretty, isn't it?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 01:15 PM

Joe- Which Waly, Waly tune does this refer to? There are two fairly popular ones: Water is Wide and the one that Burl Ives sang which starts "When cockle shells turn silver bells"
Both fit

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: norma roberts
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 03:35 PM

melanie I'm familiar with several others - My Life Flows On (on Pete Seeger's album "Pete") words by Robert Lowry; The Gift of Love-words by Hal Hopson; and this lyric by Wren--WHEN LOVE IS FOUND

WHEN LOVE IS FOUND AND HOPE COMES HOME SING AND BE GLAD THAT TWO ARE ONE WHEN LOVE EXPLODES AND FILLS THE SKY, PRAISE GOD AND SHARE OUR MAKER'S JOY WHEN LOVE HAS FLOWERED IN TRUST AND CARE BUILD BOTH EACH DAY, THAT LOVE MAY DARE TO REACH BEYOND HOME'S WARMTH AND LIGHT TO SERVE AND STRIVE FOR TRUTH AND RIGHT.

WHEN LOVE IS TRIED AS LOVED ONES CHANGE HOLD STILL TO HOPE THOUGH ALL SEEMS STRANGE TILL EASE RETURNS AND HOPE GROWS WISE THROUGH LIST'NING EARS AND OPENED EYES.

WHEN LOVE IS TORN AND TRUST BETRAYED PRAY STRENGTH TO LOVE TILL TORMENTS FADE TILL LOVERS KEEP NO SCORE OF WRONG BUT HEAR THROUGH PAIN LOVE'S EASTER SONG.

PRAISE GOD FOR LOVE, PRAISE GOD FOR LIFE IN AGE OR YOUTH, IN CALM OR STRIFE. LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS! LET LOVE BE FED THROUGH DEATH AND LIFE IN BROKEN BREAD.

A beautiful song for a wedding----norma

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN LOVE IS FOUND (Wren)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Nov 98 - 06:24 PM

A wonderful song, Norma. Thank you. I will try to put it in verse form with some HTML tricks.

WHEN LOVE IS FOUND by Wren

When love is found and hope comes home,
Sing and be glad that two are one,
When love explodes and fills the sky,
Praise God and share Our Maker's joy.

When love has flowered in trust and care,
Build both each day, that love may dare,
To reach beyond home's warmth and light
To serve and strive for truth and right.

When love is tried as loved ones change,
Hold still to hope though all seems strange,
'Til ease returns and hope grows wise,
Through list'ning ears and opened eyes.

When love is torn and trust betrayed,
Pray strength to love 'til torments fade,
'Til lovers keep no score of wrong,
But hear through pain love's Easter song.

Praise God for love, praise God for life,
In age or youth, in calm or strife.
Lift up your hearts! Let love be fed,
Through death and life in broken bread.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From:
Date: 18 Nov 98 - 05:54 PM

Thank you all for your advice. A special thanks to Norma, Joe, and Roger in Baltimore for taking the time to post those lyrics for me. Both versions are beautiful. Norma, you jogged my memory. The Gift of Love was the title I was thinking of (or NOT thinking of as the case may be!) I don't know if it has lyrics from Psalms but I can't imagine that they are any more lovely than the ones you and Joe have given me.

Everyone is so nice and helpful here. I'll have to hang out here more often! Thanks again.

Melanie from Illinois

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Norma in CA
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 01:50 AM

Melanie - Glad you liked those lyrics. I do have the ones to "The Gift of Love", if you would like them.

Joe - Thanks for putting those lyrics in proper form. I did type them in that way. The computer sure scrambled them. Norma

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 02:04 AM

Gee, Dick, I didn't know there were FOUR tunes to "Waly, Waly." The one I'm referring to is listed in the database as The Water Is Wide, but then there's Cockleshells, Waly2, and Waly3. It would behoove us all to take a look.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Linda in FL
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 01:16 PM

Thanks to you all for these lyrics to the Water is Wide... First time time site - found my grandfather's song, "Does the Chewing Gum Lose its Flavor on the Bedpost Over Night." - then saw this link....

James Taylor did an incredible rendition of this song with the Boston Pops several years... If it didn't touch your heart, you don't have one.... (Thanks, James...)

Thanks again!! Linda in FL

Subject: Lyr Add: PSALM 42 (adaptation by Danna Harkin)
From: Sara
Date: 19 Nov 98 - 10:39 PM

The tune to "The Water is Wide" can also be used with "Amazing Grace" or PSALM 42 (adaptation by Danna Harkin). Good luck. I love this tune/song in any version.

As the hart longs for flowing streams,
So longs my heart for thee, O God.
My soul does thirst for the living God.
When shall I come to see Thy face?

My tears have fed me day and night,
While men have said, "Where is your God!"
But I recall as my soul pours dry,
The days of praise within thy home.

Why do I mourn and toil within,
When it is mine to hope in God?
I shall again sing praise to Him.
He is my help. He is my God!

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Melanie
Date: 20 Nov 98 - 12:49 PM

Norma, I would love those lyrics to The Gift of Love if you don't mind typing them all. You can e-mail them to me at [e-mail] or post them here as others seem interested too.

Thanks again, Melanie

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From:
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 11:00 AM

Melanie, the Cyberhymnal indicates a copyright situation with that song. I found the words here at the Cyberhymnal:

The Gift of Love (Copyright)

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: Deckman
Date: 05 Jan 03 - 10:43 AM

Subject: RE: The Water is Wide - alternate lyrics
From: GUEST,kiers
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:12 AM

I know this is a really old thread now, but in case anyone else is reading it, you can also set "When I survey the Wond'rous cross" to this tune:

When I survey the wond'rous Cross
On which the Prince of Glory Died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I scarfice them to His blood

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and Love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an off'ring far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

hope someone finds that helpful - personal favourite of mine.

CHeers

K

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,Danna (formerly Harkin) Gunther
Date: 01 Jan 09 - 05:47 PM

I adapted Psalm 42 to "The Water is Wide," which is still one of my favorite folk songs. It was originally marketed through Word Music, and is still available in several media through the current owner, Warner/Chappell Music: www.warnerchappell.com, phone [phone], 10585 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Sheet music is available for instrumental and choral arrangements, and it has appeared in several songbooks. Thanks for enjoying this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Jan 09 - 11:19 AM

Psalm 42 - is that 'As the Deer Longs'?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Jan 09 - 11:34 AM

Psalm 42 - is that 'As the Deer Longs'?

Yes, as quoted above,

Also known as:
"As pants the hart for cooling streams when heated in the chase"
Or:
"Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks, so longeth my soul after thee o God"

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 10:35 AM

Well, Nigel, I hope someone who doesn't know basic English literature comes along and is helped by your post.

My earlier post to Danna Gunther was intended to make her aware that simply giving a number is not adequate to describe a psalm, at least not for most people.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: The Doctor
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 06:40 AM

I once wrote a setting of Psalm 121 which began:

I will lift mine eyes unto the hills,
Unto the hills. Whence comes mine aid?
My help it cometh from the Lord,
That Lord who heaven and earth hath made.

If I can find/remember the rest I'll put it all up.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 10:50 AM

Leeneia:
My post was pointing out that Joe's post way back in 1998 earlier in the thread answers your question fully (making the question somewhat pointless).
I then gave alternate wordings so that it links to other versions of the same psalm.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 05:16 PM

As I just explained, it wasn't actually a question.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:19 PM

Leeneia:
Something which starts "Is that" and ends with a question mark is normally accepted as being a question.
If you have a totally different interpretation of the english language then I'll bow to your 'superior' knowledge!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,bob stamps, va, usa.
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 09:50 PM

my favorite tune. i just finished a hymn yesterday to the tune 'o waly, waly.' 'the water is wide' is another song written to 'o waly, waly.' it is not the tune's name.three verses to my hymn, 'a hymn to life.'

A hymn to God, Who, strong yet meek,
Unfurls the stars, enfolds the weak:
Who asks our best, but loved us first,
And loves us still, despite our worst.

A hymn to Christ, Whose worker's hand
Carved Life from death,forged Rock from sand;
From Whose full heart all mercies flow,
Each gift received, a gift we owe.

(there are seven verses, here is the last one, in first person    singular)

Depart my soul, depart in peace,
Run swiftly to a higher feast:
God's Joy for wine, God's Light for bread.
Feast long my heart at table spread!

if anyone is interested i'll post the rest of the words. to god be praise.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 11:55 AM

Yes, please do post them.

TBTG,

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 03:12 PM

Yes. Thanks for posting your work, Bob.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 08:38 AM

Bob, in my haste I missed that YOU wrote this. Please join Mudcat so I can send you a PM!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 02:12 AM

In elementary school I learned a song called "Though I may Speak with Bravest Fire", which had the same tune as a version of "The Water is Wide" that I later heard.

Subject: ADD: Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 03:53 AM

Oh, I hadn't heard "Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire." It's a very nice setting of 1 Corinthians 13:

THOUGH I MAY SPEAK WITH BRAVEST FIRE
[lyrics by Hal H. Hopson (1972) Tune: Waly, Waly]

1 Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

2 Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be giv'n by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

3 Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

Source: http://www.hymnary.org/hymn/TH/597

Text and tune © 1972, Hope Publishing Co.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bob Stamps lyrics 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,Curtis, Virginia
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 11:42 AM

i am looking for the complete lyrics which GUEST, Bob Stamps, began posting on 20 July 2010.
Any help is appreciated.

the first verse is:

A hymn to God, Who, strong yet meek,
Unfurls the stars, enfolds the weak:
Who asks our best, but loved us first,
And loves us still, despite our worst.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 06:45 PM

Yeah, it is a nice hymn, but Bob never came back to post the lyrics. I don't do Twitter, but maybe somebody who does Twitter can contact him and ask him to come back to this thread and post the lyrics. He's https://twitter.com/BobStamps

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 02:56 PM

A hymn to God, Who strong, yet meek,
unfurls the stars, enfolds the weak,
Who asks our best, but loved us first,
and loves us still, despite our worst.

A hymn to Christ, Whose worker's hand
carved life from death, forged rock from sand,
from Whose full heart rich mercies flow,
each gift received, a gift we owe.

A hymn to church, our waking place
to early calls and signs of grace,
where soaring hearts learn thoughtful ways,
and searching minds are led to praise.

The Spirit's hymn, God's song between
what mortals chant, what angels sing,
it lifts our hearts in common bond
with saints still here and saints beyond.

A hymn to love, a song to life,
a family's care in peace and strife.
No sweeter gift, save God alone,
than those whom life has named our own.

A hymn to friends, life's long surprise of
opened doors and widened eyes.
'Round laughing fires of wit and art,
we dance a while, then weep to part.

Let thankful souls, then, go in peace,
run swiftly to a higher feast; God's joy for wine, God's
light for bread. Feast long our hearts at table spread.

Robert Stamps

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,James
Date: 12 Jun 17 - 11:02 AM

The best version I believe is When I Survey.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: GUEST,Kathryn
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 01:15 PM

May I please have your 7 verse lyrics to “The Water is Wide”?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Psalms sung to 'The Water is Wide'
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 Oct 22 - 02:52 PM

A hymn rather than a psalm. Our current hymnbook pairs the tune with: When I survey the wondrous cross.