I wish I was in Carrickfergus
Only for nights in Ballygran
I would swim over the deepest ocean
The deepest ocean for my love to find
But the sea is wide and I cannot cross over
Nor have I any wings to fly
I wish I could find me a handsome boatman
To ferry me over to my love and die

My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy times I spent so long ago
My childhood friends and my old relations
Have all passed on now like the melting snow
But I'll spend my days in endless roving
Soft is the grass, my bed is free
Oh, to be back now in Carrickfergus
On that long road down to the sea

And in Kilkenny, it is reported
There are marble stones there as black as ink
With gold and silver I would support her
But I'll sing no more now 'til I get a drink
I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober
A handsome rover from town to town
Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are numbered
So come all ye young men and lay me down
So come all ye young men and lay me down