The River's Too Wide

Sammy Davis Jr. · Other Songs - Sammy Davis Jr.

The river's too wide now for crossin'

The water rushed too loud for talkin'

We never built bridges for walkin'

Now the river's too wide



A gentle stream once flowed between us

But love could cross it easily

Till stormy skies brought bitter teardrops

And made that stream a ragin' river

Come between you and me



The river's too wide now for crossin'

The water rushed too loud for talkin'

We never built bridges for walkin'

There's no getting' to the other side



The river's too wide for crossin'

The hurtin' goes too deep for mendin'

It looks like an unhappy endin'

'Cos the river's too wide



Good lessons learned are not forgotten

We gave up love to save our pride

Next time I'm faced with risin' water

I'll build a bridge of love and kindness

Reachin' to the other side



And the river's too wide now for crossin'

The water rushed too loud for talkin'

We never built bridges for walkin'

There's no getting' to the other side



The river's too wide for crossin'

The hurtin' goes too deep for mendin'

It looks like an unhappy endin'

'Cos the river's too wide

The River's Too Wide

Sammy Davis Jr. delivers a poignant vocal performance on "The River's Too Wide," a track that highlights his mastery of emotional storytelling within the English-language songbook. Known for his dynamic stage presence and versatile range, Davis often selected material that allowed him to convey deep sentiment through nuanced phrasing. This recording stands as a testament to his ability to imbue standard repertoire with personal intensity, bridging the gap between theatrical delivery and intimate balladry. The song reflects the broader scope of his discography, where he consistently explored themes of longing and resilience. As a key figure in American entertainment, Davis utilized such tracks to showcase his interpretive skills, ensuring that even familiar melodies felt fresh and deeply felt in his hands.