Dating from the 1600s, the folk song O Waly, Waly (commonly known as The Water Is Wide) forms the basis for this well-crafted rhapsody for band. The lyrical opening section features solos on flute and euphonium, as a four-note motif is developed. A Celtic flavored allegro takes over using this fragment, which leads ultimately to a grand maestoso section for the entire ensemble. A creative and dynamic work for contest or festival.