I first heard "Deep River" at age sixteen when I bought my first Johnny Mathis record at the supermarket for $1.98. He sang it so beautifully, the song always stayed with me. I thought it would be interesting to pair it with "The Water Is Wide." The two images, connecting "deep" and "crossing over" also resonate with me. I suppose we're all trying to get "to the other side," exist on a higher spiritual plane, one way or another. Produced by Barbra Streisand and Arif Mardin Orchestra Arranged by Arif Mardin Conductor: Paul Bogaev Pre-Programming: John Mahoney Keyboards: Mark Mann Uilleann Pipes: Eric Rigler Recorded by Dave Reitzas Mixed by Frank Filipetti Published by Deco Music/Deniz Music (BMI)

The water is wide I cannot cross over And neither have I wings to fly Build me a boat that will 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 Deep river My home is over Jordan Deep river, Lord I want to cross over into campground Deep river My home is over Jordan Deep river, Lord I want to cross over into campground Oh, don't you want to go To that gospel feast That promised land, Where all is peace Deep river, Lord I want to cross over into campground The water is wide I cannot cross over And neither have I wings to fly Build me a boat that will carry two And both shall row My love and I And both shall row My love and I

Written by: Traditionals