I wish I were home now, 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, I cannot swim over
And either have I wings to fly
I wish I could find me a handy boatman
To ferry me over to my love and die

These childhood places bring sad reflections
Of happy times, spent so long ago
My girlhood friends and my own relations
Have all passed on, like the melting snow

And I'll spend my days in endless roaming
Soft is the grass, and my bed is free
Ah, to be home now in Carrickfergus
On that long road down to the salty sea

And in Kilkenny, it is reported
On marble stone as black as ink
With gold and silver he did support me
But I'll sing no more now 'til I've had a drink

And I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober
As I roam on, from town to town
Ah, but I'm sick now, and my days are numbered
Come all ye young lads, and lay me down
Come all ye young lads, and lay me down