I wish I was in Carrickfergus

Only for nights in Ballygran

I would swim over the deepest ocean

Only for nights in Ballygran

Oh but the water is wide and I cannot swim over

And nor have I the wings to fly

I wish I could be a handy boatman

To ferry me over my love and I



My childhood days bring back sweet reflection

Of happy hours I spent so long ago

My boyhood friends and my own relations

Have all passed on now like the melting snow

But I'll spend my days in endless roaving

Soft as the grass I'm sure my bed is free

Oh to be back now in Carrickfergus

On that long mountain road down to the sea



Now in Kilkenny it is reported

They've marble stones as black as ink

With gold and silver I would support her

But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink



I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober

A handsome rover from town to town

And I'm sick now my days are over 

Come all you young men and lay me down (Repeat)