I wish I was in Carrickfergus
Only for nights in Ballygrand
I would swim over the deepest ocean

Only for nights in Ballygrand
But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over
And neither have I the wings to fly

I wish I had a handsome boatsman
To ferry me over my love and I


(This verse is only sung on the "40 years "cd)
My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy times there spent so long ago

My boyhood friends and my own relations
Have all past on now with the melting snow
So I'll spend my days in this endless roving

Soft is the grass and shore, my bed is free
Oh to be home now in carrickfergus
On the long rode down to the salty sea


Now in Kilkenny it is reported
On marble stone 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
Cause 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
Come all me young men and lay me down

Come all me young men and lay me down.