In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Crossings200 and the Restauration’s voyage in 1825—the start of the great organized Norwegian emigration to North America—we’re sharing this beautiful performance of The Water Is Wide by Rita Eriksen as May’s Music Video of the Month.
Rita Eriksen won the very first season of Stjernekamp in 2012. Now you can watch the finale clip—released on the same day as the 2025 Stjernekamp finale. (Stjernekamp is a popular Norwegian TV show, similar to The Voice or American Idol, where contestants compete in music challenges.)
The Water Is Wide – A Song of Longing, Love, and Leaving
Rooted in the English folk tradition, “The Water Is Wide” captures timeless emotions—yearning, love, and uncertainty—feelings many Norwegian emigrants carried with them as they left home in search of a better life.
“The water is wide, I can’t cross over…”
The opening line evokes the Atlantic Ocean—an overwhelming barrier to some, a promise of freedom to others. For thousands of Norwegians, it was both a physical and emotional boundary.
The verse about the boat that must carry two speaks to companionship and support in facing the unknown. Many left together—with spouses, families, or friends—sharing both burdens and dreams.
When the lyrics continue, “There is a ship and she sails the sea,” it’s easy to picture the Restauration, the small sloop that set sail from Stavanger in 1825 with 52 hopeful souls on board. It carried not only people and possessions, but dreams, faith, and fear.
As the song moves into themes of fading love— “Love grows old and waxes cold, and fades away like the morning dew.”—it reflects the bittersweet relationship many emigrants had with the homeland they left behind. Some departed with heavy hearts; others never returned.
The Water Is Wide reminds us that emigration wasn’t just a historical movement—it was a deeply human journey. One of emotion, courage, and connection—just as relatable today.
🎵 Watch and enjoy the video of Rita Eriksen’s performance.
Feel free to like and share it on social media—for example, through our upcoming Facebook post (link to be updated).