Carrickfergus (song)

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"Carrickfergus" is an Irish folk song. It is a typical lament of an Irish expatriate who wishes he was back in his homeland. The origins of the song are unclear, but it has been traced to an Irish language song, "The Sick Young Lover". In modern times, "Carrickfergus" became known after actor Peter O'Toole related it to Dominic Behan, who put it in print and made a recording in the mid-1960s. The middle verse was allegedly written by Behan.

The song has been recorded by many well known performers including Declan Affley, Joan Baez, Dominic Behan, Charlotte Church, De Dannan, Bryan Ferry, Brian Kennedy, Declan Galbraith, Loreena McKennitt, and Van Morrison. It was also included in the second Celtic Woman volume, by Orla Fallon, a compilation of traditional Irish and modern music by a variety of female Irish singers. The song is a popular request at folk festivals and concerts, and was played at the 1999 funeral of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

[edit] Lyrics

I wish I was in Carrickfergus, only for nights in Ballygran

I would swim over the deepest ocean, the deepest ocean for my love to find

But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over and neither have I wings to fly

If I could find me a handsome boatman 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 in Carrickfergus on that long road down to the sea

And in Kilkenny it is reported there are 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

Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are numbered so come all ye young men and lay me down^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kylie Mory - Carrickfergus via MusicMatch.net. This version uses the alternative lyrics.
• Brian Kennedy - Carrickfergus (Excerpt)