The Water Is Wide is a traditional folk song that has been performed by James Taylor among others. This poignant and timeless ballad explores themes of love, loss, and longing. The song compares love to a vast, wide water that is beautiful yet challenging to traverse, symbolizing the difficulties of maintaining relationships. Key moments in the song include the verses that discuss the barriers and hardships of love, such as the deep water and the need for a steady hand and a sturdy bridge. The imagery of the wide water effectively captures the sense of separation and the yearning for connection.