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Carrickfergus
recorded by De Dannan, Noel McLoughlin, Lorenna McKennitt and many, many others. This is one of
the most popular sentimental Irish love songs. Carrickfergus is a town in Ulster near
Belfast. The first verse similar to Oh Waly Waly, as is the melody, in part. The middle
verse is omitted in most versions, but I kind of like it...G C D G Em
I wish I was in Carrickfergus,
C D G
Only for nights in Ballygrant
C D G Em
I would swim over the deepest ocean,
C D G
Only for nights in Ballygrant,
G Em C D
But the sea is wide I cannot cross over
Em C D
And neither have I the wings to fly
G C D G Em
If I could find me a handsome boatsman
C D G
To ferry me over, my love to find ** Other versions give this last line as " The deepest ocean for
my love to find." or "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 boyhood friends and my own relations
Have all passed on now like melting snow.
But I'll spend my days in endless roaming,
Soft is the grass, my bed is free.
Ah, to be back now in Carrickfergus,
On that long road down to the sea.But in Kilkenny, it is reported,
On marble stones there as black as ink
With gold and silver I would support her,
But I'll sing no more 'till I get a drink.
For 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 you young men and lay me down.
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