This is a folk song of Scottish origin of which there are innumerable versions. The modern lyrics ‘the Water is Wide’ was named by Cecil Sharp in 1906 from multiple other sources in Southern England, following English lyrics with a different story.
Benjamin Britten used the melody and verses of The Water is Wide for his version in 1948 which doesn’t have the O Waly Waly verse yet is still called O Waly Waly.
The modern version of the song was sung by Pete Seeger in the folk revival. It has also been recorded by Sarah Brightman, Janet Baker, Sir Thomas Allen whose masterclass at the RCS I attended last week, and Kathleen Ferrier to name just a few.
Here is a performance that I recorded back in August 2013 whilst performing at a recital in Lytham St Annes accompanied by Russell Lomas.
I have really enjoyed publishing these posts on the songs from my album and if you want to check them out again you can find them by selecting Discography on the menu bar. I do hope that you have enjoyed reading about them.
Bonsoir Charlotte ! Really enjoy too !! A pleasure to read, watch and listen you.
Always a pleasure too , listen to your CD every day.
Bravo, thank you for these beautiful trips.
Merci Pascal, I’ve nearly finished each track just Gretchen am Spinnrade left I think, I hope it helps 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, a lot, really! Meeerrrrccciii !!!!
😀
My little brother and I used to sing our own version of this that went “O waly waly up the bank, and waly waly down the other side..” Perhaps you could record that version?
I saw that version, and the original Scottish version looks interesting too. I’m learning so many new songs at the moment my heads full 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Actually I was joking, Charlotte – I’m quite sure the second line isn’t “waly waly down the other side again”, whatever version!
And wale’ wale’ up yon Bank,
And wale’ wale’ down yon brae.
And wale’ wale’ by yon River’s side,
Where my love and I was wont to gae.
😊 similar
Lovely, shared it on google.
Thank you for the share I appreciate it 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Totally irrelevant – and no doubt irreverent too – but I cannot hear the words ‘waly waly’ without thinking of Terry Pratchett’s Nac Mac Feegle, his highly Scottish Pictsies. Perhaps you and their Gonagall should one day sing a duet to the tume of the Mouse pipes?
Ooh that all sounds interesting, my brother used to read his books was it called Disc World? That would be a different sort of collaboration.
Best wishes Martin,
Charlotte 😊
Pratchett is seriously famous for the Discworld series, a phenomenon amongst series in that, after 40+ books, not only are the later ones fresh, funny and involving, but they’re some of the best ones of all, something I used to believe was impossible.
If you want to know more about the Nac Mac Feegle, read ‘The Wee Free Men’: that’s the first in a sub-series where they co-star with Tiffany Aching, the Discworlds youngest witch. And her books just get better and better.
Beautiful. Britten was a genius of course, setting that melody to those unsettling, questioning chords. It must be quite a challenge for a singer to hold the tune over such an accompaniment, ever more to retain the direct, heartfelt emotion. Musicianship of this kind is baffling to us non-musicians, and to be admired. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for listening and your message. Folk songs seem very simple but they can be very challenging.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely performing and your pose under the tree.
Thank you 😊 have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful song Charlotte, and your voice bring out the way, Waly, really well. May the Lord bless you to keep on singing to the glory of God.
Thank you Rev. Tim 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you Missy H… needed that.
Cheers Uncle S just thought hope there were no beetles in those leaves in the forest, too cold I hope 😜
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good to see at one with nature… you’ll be scoffing veggies next 😀
🙉 not listening lol 😀
I know, I know…. 😀
Hi how are you what is new in future
Hi Amritpal lots of opportunities coming up, just need to try to raise some funds so that we can travel to them, I’ll let you know more soon. With the conservatoire I’m rehearsing for the chorus in an opera called Sir John in Love an opera by Ralph Vaughan Williams, rehearsing with the Chamber Choir and with Les Sirenes and preparing for exams with new singing repertoire 😊. A busy term ahead.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautifully performed as always. I have enjoyed reading about your songs very much as, in just a few words you not only talk about the song and its history but also famous performers and how you got to know the song too. Lovely!
Thanks so much Clare 😊. I’m just taking a short break from piano practise and listening to new rep. Half an hours just flown by.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Time rushes past when you are enjoying yourself!
A beautiful rendition. I love folk songs as well. They speak to the soul. Thanks for sharing.
They do indeed John, I love to sing them with piano accompaniment. Thank you for your message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So lovely, Charlotte. You’re a musical storyteller. BTW, you look like a wood nymph in that photo. 🙂
Thanks so much Nadine, I’d love to be a wood nymph with wings 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds lovely. Imagine if that happens, for one of your operas! 🙂
Lovely. Sorry it lost the “wale’, wale’ ” in this version, though.
Although very different, it somehow reminds me of one of my all-time favourite songs, ‘She Moved through the Fair’.
Oh I love She Moved Through the Fair, I learnt it with an Irish lilt with the help of my Irish Maths teacher Mr England 😊. I thought I did a fair job with it but got heavily criticised for singing “a mans folk song” so I stopped including it in my programs.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is a pity, indeed, that it is so specifically a man’s lament. Unfortunately it wouldn’t work to make it ‘He moved …’
‘Molly Malone’ is more forgiving, but hasn’t quite the same impact.
This got me thinking how much I’d enjoy a rendition by you, and how the moaners could be made to stop moaning – perhaps! Adjust the words so that you become a third person narrator, thus:
His young love said to him,
My mother won’t mind
And my father won’t slight you
For your lack of kind.
And she stepped away from him
And this she did say:
It will not be long, Love,
Till our wedding day.
Yes, excellent idea because it is a lovely sing and goes down so well in recital.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful, Charlotte.I love, love this song, sang it with a group when I was a graduate student.
Glad to bring back good memories Noelle, it’s a shame it doesn’t end on a happy note, perhaps I’ll have to look at some of the other versions.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I learnt this at school and have always loved it. I put it into my first novel, A Small Rain. I am so pleased you went to the Thomas Allen masterclass. I thought of you when it came up as one of the silent auction items at the BYO dinner we attended, but the guide price was beyond us. Isn’t he lovely, we have seen him in so many productions at the Royal Opera House. Thank you for this lovely rendition.
I love that this song is in your very first novel Hilary. It was a fabulous masterclass we thoroughly enjoyed it, he is super.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, you have the most beautiful style! X
My Mum watched your sewing bee and told me you came third in the first week, i must try to find it on catch up. Hope it’s still going well for you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks Charlotte..I am in the Quarterfinals!! Woo woo! Episode three is really funny and I enjoyed watching it! A cruise liner sails down the Thames and I say wistfully whilst slumped at a 1950s sewing machine..”I wish I was on that boat” . I am still laughing about it now!! 🐝
So happy 😀 you’re doing so well 👍 I’ll look for that one on catch up.
Reblogged this on matthewirishblog and commented:
excellent
Thank you for the reblog 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
yeah no prob
Such a beautiful video, song and voice…it is nice and great melody and sense of longing to me. Wonderful.
Hello Charlotte! I saw your comment on Violet’s post “Quick, Easy & Healthy Vegan Recipe: Avocado Pesto-Inspired Pasta” so I dropped by to see your blog. I am so impressed, you are a very talented, beautiful young lady with an amazing voice!!
<3 carmen
PS. I made the pasta/avocado dinner – it's DEElish!!!
Thank you Carmen, I 💜 Violet and her blog. I’m living on ready meals at the moment but when I get chance I really will try the pasta and avocado meal, thanks for popping by and your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your voice and strength and incredible 🙂
Your passion is felt, not only heard.
Yet again, such a beautiful song, Charlotte. Thank you so much!
Thank you Charlotte, for the beautiful songs that you sing, and I will be praying for you as you continue to use your gift to the glory of God. We were placed on earth to be a blessing and you are doing just that. May the Lord bless you richly my beloved friend.