This is the traditional Irish song, "Carrickfergus," performed by Eddie Biggins, vocal and guitar. Not much is known about the song's origin, except that it probably dates back to the 1700s.

Thumbnail photo by Sean Biggins (http://seanbigginsphoto.com)

Carrickfergus (Traditional)

I wish I was in Carrickfergus Only for nights in Ballygrand I would swim over the deepest ocean The deepest ocean, my love to find But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over And neither have I the wings to fly I wish I had a handsome boatman To ferry me over my love and I

My childhood days bring back sweet reflections Of happy times there spent so long ago My boyhood friends and my own relations Have all passed on now like melting snow So I'll spend my days in endless roving Soft is the grass and sure, my bed is free Oh to be back now in Carrickfergus To strike that lonely road, down by the sea

And 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 For I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober A lonesome rover from town to town Ah but I'm sick now my days are numbered Come all ye young men and lay me down.

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