There is no single author;. Wikipedia tells me that it was cecil sharp in 1906 who constructed the song we now universally sing from previous related versions.
The modern lyric for the water is wide was consolidated and named by cecil sharp in 1906 from multiple older sources in southern england, following english lyrics with very different stories and.. Throughout the 20th century, “the water is wide” experienced several revival periods, with notable recordings by folk luminaries like pete seeger, joan baez, and irish groups such as the chieftains.