A version of the traditional folk song recorded by English folk singer and songwriter Kate Rusby. The song appears on her 1997 debut studio album Hourglass.
It tells the tragic story of a man who drowns attempting to cross the River Annan in Scotland to see his true love.
[Verse 1]
Oh, Annan waters' wondrous deep
And my love Ann is wondrous bonny
I'm loathe that she should wet her feet
Because I love her best of any
Go saddle for me the bonny grey mare
Go saddle her and make her ready
For I must cross the stream tonight
Or never more I'll see my lady
[Verse 2]
He's ridden over field and fen
O'er moor and moss and many's the mire
But the spurs of steel were sore to bite
Sparks from the mare's hoofs flew like fire
Oh, the mare flew o'er the moor and moss
And when she reached the Annan waters
She couldn't have ridden a furlong more
Had a thousand whips been laid upon her
[Chorus]
And woe betide you Annan waters
By night you are a gloomy river
And over you I'll build a bridge
That never more true love can sever
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
Oh boatman, put off your boat
Put off your boat for gold and money
For I must cross the stream tonight
Or never more I'll see my lady
Oh, the sides are steep, the waters deep
From bank to brae the water's pouring
And the bonny grey mare she sweats for fear
She stands to hear the water roaring
[Verse 4]
And he has tried to swim the stream
And he swam on both strong and steady
But the river was deep and strength did fail
And never more he'll see his lady
Oh, woe betide the willow wand
And woe betide the bush and briar
For they broke beneath my true love's hand
When strength did fail and limbs did tire
[Chorus]
And woe betide you Annan waters
By night you are a gloomy river
And over you I'll build a bridge
That never more true love can sever
[Outro]
That never more (That never more) true love can sever
That never more (That never more) true love can sever
That never more (That never more) true love can sever
Annan Waters was written by Traditional.
Annan Waters was produced by John McCusker.