What are the lyrics to the Irish song Carrickfergus?

I love the song "Carrickfergus," and I have a recording of it by Charlotte Church and Loreena McKennitt. I have found lyrics on the internet by different artists that are all different, though.





I would like to know the original, traditional lyrics, but don't know where to find them.





I would also like to find all the verses that there are to the song.





If anyone can help me, especially people from Ireland that have heard it sung by relatives who know what they're talking about ;-), I'd really appreciate it!

What are the lyrics to the Irish song Carrickfergus?
These are all the verses that I know:





I wish I was in Carrickfergus,


Only for nights in Ballygrand


I would swim over the deepest ocean,


Yes, the deepest ocean, for my love to find


But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over


And neither have I the wings to fly


Oh if I could find a handsome boatsman


To ferry me over, to my love and die





2. 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 now in Carrickfergus,


On that long road down to the sea.





3. But in Kilkenny, it is reported,


There are marble stones there as black as ink


With gold and silver I would support her,


But I'll sing no more 'till I have a drink.


For I'm drunk today, and I'm seldom sober,


A handsome rover from town to town,


Ah, but I'm sick now, and my days are numbered,


Come all you young men and lay me down.


Come all you young men and lay me down.





You'll find different lyrics for most Irish songs. This is a gorgeous song, The Chieftains and Brian Kennedy also do versions of it - most Irish musicians probably have one.
Reply:The reason you might be finding different lyrics is because most folk songs (from any country) would have been passed down orally, and so no definitive version of the lyrics may exist.
Reply:I wish I was in Carrickfergus,


Only for nights in Ballygrand


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


Neither have I the wings to fly


If I could fine me a handsome boatman


To ferry me over, to my love and die





My childhood days bring back sad reflections


Of happy times spend long ago,


My childhood friends and my own reflections


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 now in Carrickfergus,


On that long road down to the sea





But I’ll spend my days in endless roaming,


Soft is the grass, my bed is free.


But I am sick now and my days are numbered,


Come all you young men and lay me down