I wished I was in Carrickfergus'
Only for nights in Ballygrand'
I would swim over the deepest ocean'
The deepest ocean to be by your side.

But the sea is wide and I can't swim over
And neither have I the wings to fly.
If I could find me a handy boatman
To ferry me over to my love and die.

My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy time spend so long ago.
My boyhood friends and my own relations.
Have all passed on like the melting snow.

I'll spend my days in endless roving'
Soft is the grass and my bed is free.
Oh to be home now in Carrickfergus'
On the long road down to the salty sea.

And in Kilkenny it is reported
On marble stone as black as ink'
With gold and silver I did support her
But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink.

For I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober'
A handsome rover from town to town.
Oh but I am sick now and my days are numbered
so come on ye young men and lay me down."