Lyrics and chords

Carrickfergus

The lyrics to Carrickfergus as we now know them were first recorded by Dominic Behan in the mid 1960s.

Carrickfergus
Lyrics and Chords print version

He said he had learnt the song from fellow Irishman and actor Peter O’Toole.

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The words tell the story of a wandering rover who is separated from his lover. He cannot get to her because the sea lies between them.

There are similar versions of the lyrics in most English speaking countries across the world, but Carrickfergus is probably the most widely known and recorded.

Carrickfergus lyrics and chords

 

G 

I wish I  

C 

was in  

D 

Carrick

G 

fergus,

 

Em 

Only for  

Am 

nights 

 

 

C 

in 

 

Bally

G 

gran

 

I would swim  

C 

over the  

D 

deepest 

 

 

G 

ocean,

 

Em 

Only for  

Amm 

nights 

 

 

C 

in 

 

Bally

G 

gran.

 

But the sea is  

Em 

wide and I cannot swim over

 

C 

And nor have  

G 

I the  

C 

wings to  

D 

fly.

 

If I could  

C 

find me  

D 

a handsome  

G 

boatman,

 

Em 

To ferry me  

Am 

over 

 

 

D 

to my love and  

G 

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.

Carrickfergus
Lyrics and Chords print version