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

My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy times we spent so long ago
My boyhood friends and my own relations
Have all past on now like melting snow
And I've spend my days in seamless roving
Soft is the grass and my bed is free
Ah to be back now in Carrickfergus
On that long winding road down to the sea

Now 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 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 young men and lay me down