The book sometimes is identified as nonfiction2 and other times identified as a novel. This arrangement is adapted from an earlier version by the same arranger for voices in three parts, flute, violin and piano. The Water Is Wide is a 1972 memoir1 by Pat Conroy and is based on his work as a teacher on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, which is called Yamacraw Island in the book. Composers including Benjamin Britten and John Rutter have made arrangements of the melody and it has been recorded by countless well-known singers across the classical, folk and popular genres.

Many variations of the lyrics have appeared in England, Wales, Ireland, Canada and Australia and the melody has been used to set a hymn text in the USA although perhaps the best known version is that collected by Cecil Sharpe in 1906. “The Water is Wide, also called “O Waly Waly”, is a traditional folk song of Scottish origin based on lyrics that date in part back to the 1600s. This is a sensible arrangement which will encourage all the players to perform well in the concert - perfect! From the Publisher The slow moving nature of the folk song melody gives everyone a chance to shine where they can, there is enough block movement in the accompaniment to hold it all together and tuning issues are relatively straightforward to address. It's great for getting a large group together without too much stress and allowing the members to feel they are contributing. If you are lucky enough to have a developing wind band to nurture this is just the piece for you.

The water is wide book