How “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Nearly Became a Pitcher of Water

Who doesn’t know this classic song by Simon and Garfunkel? It is loved by music fans of all genres, basically because it is a great song.

In an interview Paul Simon said that “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was influenced by the gospel music to which he was listening toat that time, especially the Swan Silvertones and their song “Mary Don’t You Weep” He had composed it on his guitar.

It became one of the duo’s biggest hits and their signature song, topping the U.S. and U.K. charts and picking up five Grammy awards in 1971, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Although Paul Simon wrote it, he wanted Art Garfunkel to sing it.

But it could have gone so wrong. The arranger Ernie Freeman had paid so little attention to the lyrics that the sheet music was titled Like a Pitcher of Water. He also wrote…