I have truly been fortunate in my life, I have played guitar almost all of it, and I have witnessed Ed Gerhard playing this extremely Beautiful song on four occasions,, each time it just seems to be better,, and he is a great guitarist,, but also He is such a Humble person, like a treasured friend, who truly loves playing and meeting fans and now your friend.. Ali from Kentucky
So, music having been my life. .Singing and playing since 8 yrs old, i lost my marriage, I tragically lost my 18 year old son, Isaiah in a car accident, and my father died. I havent sang for about 6 years. I stuck my toe in the water and tonight sang this song with you accompanying me. I've sang it over and over. I'm learning ukulele too, but seem to have lost my mojo- its hard to vocalize. Trauma? Perhaps. I'm just going to keep singing with you and see where it goes. Thanks for just being on here.
Thanks Johna. Through various tragedies and disappointments I too lost music for a while. I’ll think of you next time I perform to remember what music is and what it’s capable of.
I saw Ed at a workshop in the late 90s, and I shared with him that his piece 'Howl' had given me solace at a time when my father was terminally ill - and was able to learn it. I recently found some of Ed's more recent videos and I was happy for that; I was wondering if he had retired.
I'm listening to this because I was just talking with a young player about music. I used to own Acoustic Roots and you performed in my store maybe for Breedlove at that time in the 90s. Your playing touched me. And then a few years later I was working for Goodall Guitars at one of the summer NAMM shows and you were doing a concert one of the nights at a small club. I went and talked to you for a bit after about how your playing touches me and why. You said, "Every note matters." Of course that's true but how many can put that into practice? It's the heart of what music is and I've carried that with me since and try to pass it on when I can.
This brought tears to me. Used to play this piece and a few others from Ed and it brought such joy. I really miss playing guitar. Unfortunately an ever increasing disability prevents me from playing now.
This is as beautifully and tastefully as I've ever heard the guitar played. Ed is not afraid to be subtle and understated; he lets the song speak for itself. (I'm not sure, though, that he completely "gets out of the way": the chording and phrasing are brilliant.) Way back in '60s, I knew this song as O Waly Waly and played it many many times, though never anything like this. It's haunting, touching--as are the lyrics--and I never dreamed I'd hear such a moving rendition. I'm grateful.
your thoughtful guitar playing soothingly touches the soul. I understand why you want to get out of the way of the song. . .it really is THAT kind of piece. Thanks for sharing with the world.
Still one of the best and most tasteful arrangements of any melody for the acoustic guitar. Sounds as fresh now as the day l first heard it....and it got me into fingerstyle guitar. One tune, one listen and l thought l have got to learn how to play that.
An absolutely beautiful interpretation of this timeless folk song "The Water Is Wide". Your fretboard artistry and dynamics make for a superb rendition overall. Thank you for sharing this video. For UA-cam listeners who would like to hear this song with lyrics, I highly recommend the video with Karla Bonoff singing.
I really wanna see your playing in my real eyes someday. This playing is so beautiful. I been seeing your original arrangement so kany times on UA-cam. Love you From.south Korea
I am greatfull to comment first on it. Sir Edward Gerhard you are The Peace in my world of acoustics. I wish I Will be listening your Guitar when I'll be taking my last breath of life. It Will be a pleasure and a farewell gift for me on that time. Yet I'm awesome to listen you. Because the water is wide. I expect your reply Sir. That's my wish.
Ed, I've bought several of your albums, Counting the Ways. And still don't have one for myself. Gave them away to friends and strangers. Your style of playing is very moving. It truly touches the heart. Thank you.
This song is often said to be of American or Scottish origin, because of the alternative title, 'O waly, waly' (the Scottish song of that title has a different melody and lyrics which are Scottish) - it is from Somerset, England. The elegiac nature of the song is best heard in the arrangement by Benjamin Britten and his recording with Peter Pears.
Can easily say Mr. Gerhard's playing helped inspire me to experiment with different tunings and play styles, probably ten plus years ago when I first saw him playing that custom jumbo acoustic in a few UA-cam videos. Always glad to see and hear some more :)
The water is wide, I can't cross over 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's loaded deep, as deep can be But not so deep as the love I'm in I know not how I sink or swim O, love is handsome and love is fine The sweetest flower when first it's new But love grows old and waxes cold And fades away like summer dew Build me a boat that can carry two And both shall row, my love and I And both shall row, my love and I
This is the most breathtaking arrangement of this tune that I’ve ever heard! It motivated me to do my own arrangement but it doesn’t come close to Ed’s!! Bravo, my friend!!!🎶🎶🎶
Though this song has lyrics depending on who sings them they seem just to distract the fact they are not necessarily needed When you have the right singer such as Karla Bonoff they do make a difference. . As Ed & those that play this as he does show the guitar & notes are all that's needed to evoke the meaning & emotive power this old song has. Though he will play it in standard tuning with the capo on the 2nd fret on the third he's in Drop D & wow does it wring the heartstrings . Absolutely gorgeous & true artistry.
Beautiful. Another thing I would really enjoy is to see the process an artist like Ed goes through in arranging a piece like "The Water is Wide." How does he figure which chord progressions and voicing to use? Does he try certain things and then opt for others. I'd like to see him select a piece and then document how he starts from scratch a puts together a performance as wonderful as this.
So beautiful performance of that song! Dear Mr Gerhard is it possible to share with me the score or tabs of the tune? I use to play this song, but your arrangement is very touching. Greetings from Bulgaria
I've just got your Book Ed, with this Tune in it 👍, a friend gave me the Link, may I ask what Guitar you use here?, I'm currently looking at a purchase, love slotted headstocks but I think a Great sounding Guitar is more important , a couple of makers are in the frame
Hi Ed, This is a beautiful version of this song and beautifully played. Can you say what make of guitar you are playing and how old is it ? ? I’m in the market for a new acoustic guitar and would consider one like it. Thanks for great music, Robert Sweeney Ireland.
Hi Robert, I searched on Ed's website and found details of his gears. virtuerecords.com/road-gear/ Breedlove Limited Edition Ed Gerhard Signature Model Dreadnought. Figured Sapele/Adirondack Breedlove Revival Series dreadnought. Figured Sapele/Adirondack Breedlove Hawaiian (Weissenborn style) made from figured Myrtlewood. Hope this helps
Exceptional...a gooseflesh rendition of a beautiful ballad!
I have truly been fortunate in my life, I have played guitar almost all of it, and I have witnessed Ed Gerhard playing this extremely Beautiful song on four occasions,, each time it just seems to be better,, and he is a great guitarist,, but also He is such a Humble person, like a treasured friend, who truly loves playing and meeting fans and now your friend.. Ali from Kentucky
Play tune and stay out the way of it....so beautiful, mature and masterfully preformed!
I've heard Ed play this in person several times - he does it so sweetly, naturally. It always hits home! Love his sound!
He just smiles and blesses us all with his playing. Thank you Ed. Kevin
Oh my, so beautiful. Every time I hear this song I cry. I love it so.
Steve Goodman's version of this was the first I ever heard. Still makes me cry, over 40 years later
So, music having been my life. .Singing and playing since 8 yrs old, i lost my marriage, I tragically lost my 18 year old son, Isaiah in a car accident, and my father died. I havent sang for about 6 years. I stuck my toe in the water and tonight sang this song with you accompanying me. I've sang it over and over. I'm learning ukulele too, but seem to have lost my mojo- its hard to vocalize. Trauma? Perhaps. I'm just going to keep singing with you and see where it goes. Thanks for just being on here.
Hope you're doing well, Johna. Keep singing if that makes you feel whole and good.
Music can lead you to a place of healing and restoration. It's doing it for me and I hope it does it for you. Wishing you peace.
Thanks Johna. Through various tragedies and disappointments I too lost music for a while. I’ll think of you next time I perform to remember what music is and what it’s capable of.
Instablaster...
My son. 29. Said I would never play again. But it brings comfort. Esp this song.
Best fingerstyle ever
Thumbs up if this version brings a tear to your eye…
Check out Masaaki kishibe's version.
Beautiful and peaceful. Exactly what I needed this morning. Thank you!
amazing and beautiful, nice work.
I saw Ed at a workshop in the late 90s, and I shared with him that his piece 'Howl' had given me solace at a time when my father was terminally ill - and was able to learn it. I recently found some of Ed's more recent videos and I was happy for that; I was wondering if he had retired.
It's rare to hear fingerstyle guitar with such emotional feeling, slow built up, pauses and tenderness quite like this. Bless you Ed Gerhard.
I put my ear to my ohone, entered your world and cried.
"All I try to do is play the tune and stay out of the way of it." ~EG Beautiful and humble. True artistry.
This guy is quite simply the best.
Ed, this is absolutely beautiful! So emotional! Brings tears.
I should pisten to this song forever Ed.
There are simply no words to describe just how much I love this...❤️
I'm listening to this because I was just talking with a young player about music. I used to own Acoustic Roots and you performed in my store maybe for Breedlove at that time in the 90s. Your playing touched me. And then a few years later I was working for Goodall Guitars at one of the summer NAMM shows and you were doing a concert one of the nights at a small club. I went and talked to you for a bit after about how your playing touches me and why. You said, "Every note matters." Of course that's true but how many can put that into practice? It's the heart of what music is and I've carried that with me since and try to pass it on when I can.
This brought tears to me. Used to play this piece and a few others from Ed and it brought such joy. I really miss playing guitar. Unfortunately an ever increasing disability prevents me from playing now.
Absolutely beautiful! Amazing musicianship.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Just WOW! Pristine, Mr. Gerhard.
This should be in the classical guitar repertoire!
shit, that is just plain lovely.
LOVE. I Feel happiness.
Very beautiful ty :)
Amazing version.... thanks.... from S.Korea
This is as beautifully and tastefully as I've ever heard the guitar played. Ed is not afraid to be subtle and understated; he lets the song speak for itself. (I'm not sure, though, that he completely "gets out of the way": the chording and phrasing are brilliant.) Way back in '60s, I knew this song as O Waly Waly and played it many many times, though never anything like this. It's haunting, touching--as are the lyrics--and I never dreamed I'd hear such a moving rendition. I'm grateful.
You have magic in your fingers, heart and soul. Shine on, my friend.
Simply beautiful. Your music has added beauty to this already beautiful song.
Beautiful playing.
Beautiful.
Very moving and with an amazing finger picking melody,
You pay tribute to this gem of a song in an "out of this world" way. There is no Ed, just the song. Took my breath away, thank you.
Nice and soothing!...
Liking this a lot.
Love Ed Gerhard. One of the best living guitarists
your thoughtful guitar playing soothingly touches the soul. I understand why you want to get out of the way of the song. . .it really is THAT kind of piece. Thanks for sharing with the world.
A Masterpiece Great guitar performance Ed Gerhard......Thank You......
Still one of the best and most tasteful arrangements of any melody for the acoustic guitar. Sounds as fresh now as the day l first heard it....and it got me into fingerstyle guitar. One tune, one listen and l thought l have got to learn how to play that.
couldnt agree more my friend.
Well that was a real inspiration.... Thank you very much.
beautiful...
What a lovely performance
Very nice offering of a beautiful piece...Thanks for the post...
You play this with such feeling and sweetness. My heart breaks each time I hear you play.
An absolutely beautiful interpretation of this timeless folk song "The Water Is Wide". Your fretboard artistry and dynamics make for a superb rendition overall. Thank you for sharing this video. For UA-cam listeners who would like to hear this song with lyrics, I highly recommend the video with Karla Bonoff singing.
Jan Saremi q
What a great player.
Such a beautiful song in memory of someone hard to forget someone who gave me so much to remember.
Great touch, as always. Been a fan since "The Handing Down"
Beautifully done! I have collected many versions of this song, and l must say, yours is my favorite. ❣ Thank you.
I really wanna see your playing in my real eyes someday. This playing is so beautiful. I been seeing your original arrangement so kany times on UA-cam. Love you From.south Korea
Flawless!!.
Real nice, thank you.
I am greatfull to comment first on it. Sir Edward Gerhard you are The Peace in my world of acoustics. I wish I Will be listening your Guitar when I'll be taking my last breath of life. It Will be a pleasure and a farewell gift for me on that time. Yet I'm awesome to listen you. Because the water is wide. I expect your reply Sir. That's my wish.
Ed, I've bought several of your albums, Counting the Ways. And still don't have one for myself. Gave them away to friends and strangers. Your style of playing is very moving. It truly touches the heart. Thank you.
Always lovely to hear!
Love how this was played and arranged but the video production is also so beautiful, Ed!
Yes ..the whole thing is a work of art ..a real treasure .💕💕💕
Very nice from one of the best players in this world. I would love for you to come to Olympia Wa. To play for us.
Absolutely Beautiful !!
Wonderful......thanks Sam! 🎸
So beautiful. What more can I say ?
Thanks for inspiring me to pick up the guitar again.
Beautiful tone
Beautiful ❤️
One word - Brilliant
I love your arrangement ! Thank you !
Beautiful. Thanks, Ed!
great lesson great arrangement!!
Very nice tempo and phrasing. Thumbs up.
Wonderfull
This song is often said to be of American or Scottish origin, because of the alternative title, 'O waly, waly' (the Scottish song of that title has a different melody and lyrics which are Scottish) - it is from Somerset, England. The elegiac nature of the song is best heard in the arrangement by Benjamin Britten and his recording with Peter Pears.
Beautiful sensitive touch on those strings Ed... well put together and played ...all the best..
as you will know a version of "When I survey... has been done to this tune and so your version blesses me so much. Thank you.
Can easily say Mr. Gerhard's playing helped inspire me to experiment with different tunings and play styles, probably ten plus years ago when I first saw him playing that custom jumbo acoustic in a few UA-cam videos. Always glad to see and hear some more :)
The water is wide, I can't cross over
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's loaded deep, as deep can be
But not so deep as the love I'm in
I know not how I sink or swim
O, love is handsome and love is fine
The sweetest flower when first it's new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like summer dew
Build me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row, my love and I
And both shall row, my love and I
This is the most breathtaking arrangement of this tune that I’ve ever heard! It motivated me to do my own arrangement but it doesn’t come close to Ed’s!! Bravo, my friend!!!🎶🎶🎶
I only just seen you on UA-cam. I like your playing. You got good feel .
Though this song has lyrics depending on who sings them they seem just to distract the fact they are not necessarily needed When you have the right singer such as Karla Bonoff they do make a difference. . As Ed & those that play this as he does show the guitar & notes are all that's needed to evoke the meaning & emotive power this old song has. Though he will play it in standard tuning with the capo on the 2nd fret on the third he's in Drop D & wow does it wring the heartstrings . Absolutely gorgeous & true artistry.
To Cry for...
Awesome playing, awesome tune, Gerhard - I hope we can hear it LIVE in Belgium in 2019 !
er...England first 2018 ??!!! ......can but hope
Beautiful song and incredible dynamics.
Good.eving❤po
Ang.lupit.mo.sa.guitar
Idol❤
素晴らしい演奏です👍
practicing it for 2 years, and I am still lost.
Nice .
Nice Bro. Nice touch and feel. You show off without showing off. So many don't understand that.
give me a boat that can carry two
"unforgettable" brings me here
Beautiful. Another thing I would really enjoy is to see the process an artist like Ed goes through in arranging a piece like "The Water is Wide." How does he figure which chord progressions and voicing to use? Does he try certain things and then opt for others. I'd like to see him select a piece and then document how he starts from scratch a puts together a performance as wonderful as this.
Nice. As a detail from a guitar learner, why the capo?
This is a stunning arrangement. The touch and tenderness. Is there a tab available for purchase/download? Thank you.
Gorgeous. Inspired by the chord progressions in Bonoff's interpretation, I believe?
Beautiful... but "Homage" is my favorite... especially after you told the story behind it.
So beautiful performance of that song! Dear Mr Gerhard is it possible to share with me the score or tabs of the tune? I use to play this song, but your arrangement is very touching. Greetings from Bulgaria
I've just got your Book Ed, with this Tune in it 👍, a friend gave me the Link, may I ask what Guitar you use here?, I'm currently looking at a purchase, love slotted headstocks but I think a Great sounding Guitar is more important , a couple of makers are in the frame
👍🏽
Hi Ed, very nice. How can i get the tabs? Greetings vom Gerhard, Linz/Donau, Austria
Hi Ed,
This is a beautiful version of this song and beautifully played.
Can you say what make of guitar you are playing and how old is it ? ?
I’m in the market for a new acoustic guitar and would consider one like it.
Thanks for great music,
Robert Sweeney
Ireland.
Hi Robert,
I searched on Ed's website and found details of his gears.
virtuerecords.com/road-gear/
Breedlove Limited Edition Ed Gerhard Signature Model Dreadnought. Figured Sapele/Adirondack
Breedlove Revival Series dreadnought. Figured Sapele/Adirondack
Breedlove Hawaiian (Weissenborn style) made from figured Myrtlewood.
Hope this helps
Wow that is amazing! What tuning? Was thinking drop D but now wondering if it's dadgad
Just drop D