I wish I was in Carrickfergus Only for nights in Ballygran I would swim over the deepest ocean the deepest ocean 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 road down to the song to 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