But the sea is wide and I can't swim over
And neither have I wings to fly
I wish I could find me handy boatman
To ferry me over my love and I
I wish I was in Carrickfergus
Only for nights in Ballygrand
I would swim over the deepest ocean
Only for nights in Ballygrand
But the sea is wide and I can't swim over
And neither have I wings to fly
I wish I could find me handsome boatman
To ferry me over my love and I
For it's in Kilkenny it is reported
On marble stone there as black as ink
With gold and silver I did support her
But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink
I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober
The handsome rover from town to town
But I am sick now and my days are numbered
Come all me young men and lay me down