Sammy Kershaw – Don’t Go Near The Water

About The Song

“Don’t Go Near the Water” is a song written by Chapin Hartford and Jim McBride, recorded by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw, and released in March 1992 as the second single and title track from his debut album Don’t Go Near the Water on Mercury Records. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 10 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada, following the success of his debut single “Cadillac Style.” It helped solidify Kershaw’s early career momentum in the early 1990s country music scene.

The recording took place in Nashville, produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, who worked with Kershaw to refine his honky-tonk style into a polished country sound. The session featured a traditional country arrangement with steel guitar by Paul Franklin, fiddle by Stuart Duncan, and backing vocals by Curtis Young, contributing to the song’s warm, storytelling vibe. The track runs 3:07 on the album and single versions, recorded during the same sessions as “Cadillac Style” in 1991. Kershaw’s vocal delivery emphasized the song’s cautionary narrative, drawing from his experience on the Louisiana honky-tonk circuit.

The lyrics tell the story of a father warning his daughter about the dangers of love, using the metaphor of water with lines like “Don’t go near the water, ‘cause the water’s deep and wide.” The song reflects a protective tone, with references to past heartbreak and the father’s desire to shield his child from similar pain. Don’t Go Near the Water, released on January 1, 1992, achieved platinum status, selling over one million copies, driven by hits like “Cadillac Style,” “Don’t Go Near the Water,” and “Yard Sale.” The album marked Kershaw’s entry into the new traditionalist movement alongside artists like Alan Jackson.

The music video was directed by Michael Merriman and released to promote the single, featuring Kershaw in a rural setting with a young girl, visually reinforcing the song’s familial theme. The video’s simple production aligned with the song’s modest chart performance compared to “Cadillac Style.” The single was issued in multiple formats, including a 1992 vinyl single with “I Buy Her Roses” as the B-side, and later appeared on compilations like Greatest Hits (1994) and The Definitive Collection (2004).

The song was part of Kershaw’s early career push after signing with Mercury Records, following years of performing in Louisiana clubs. Its release coincided with a period of resurgence for traditional country sounds, with the album’s production reflecting a blend of classic and contemporary elements. The track’s recording included additional session work by Brent Rowan on guitar and Mike Henderson on harmonica, adding depth to its instrumentation.

Video

Lyric

Don’t go near the water, ’cause the water’s deep and wide
There’s things down there you don’t wanna see
And things you just might find
Don’t go near the water, ’cause I lost my little girl there
And I couldn’t stand to lose you too

I walked her to the river when the moon was shining bright
She was full of curiosity
And I was full of pride
She slipped and fell into the current
And was swept away from me
And I couldn’t save my little girl

Don’t go near the water, ’cause the water’s deep and wide
There’s things down there you don’t wanna see
And things you just might find
Don’t go near the water, ’cause I lost my little girl there
And I couldn’t stand to lose you too

Now every night I walk along that river’s lonely shore
Hoping I might see her face again
Like I did before
But all I hear are memories
Echoing through the trees
And all I see is darkness where she used to be

Don’t go near the water, ’cause the water’s deep and wide
There’s things down there you don’t wanna see
And things you just might find
Don’t go near the water, ’cause I lost my little girl there
And I couldn’t stand to lose you too

Don’t go near the water, ’cause I lost my little girl there
And I couldn’t stand to lose you too