Carrickfergus

DESCRIPTION: "I wish I were in Carrickfergus, Only for nights in Ballygrand. I would swim over the deepest ocean... my love to find." "I wish to meet a handsome boatsman To ferry me over, my love to find." Since (she) is gone, the singer will drink, forget, (and die)
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1927 (Sandburg-TheAmericanSongbag)
KEYWORDS: love separation drink
FOUND IN: US Ireland Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (5 citations):
Sandburg-TheAmericanSongbag, p. 323, "Fond Affection" (1 short text, perhaps derived from "Dear Companion (The Broken Heart; Go and Leave Me If You Wish To, Fond Affection)" but which in the absence of a tune reminds me strongly of this piece)
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H641, p. 383, "Ripest of Apples" (1 text, 1 tune, a tiny fragment of two verses, one of which often occurs with this song while the other is associated primarily with "Wheel of Fortune." The tune is not "Carrickfergus")
Peacock, pp. 475-476, "Love is Lovely" (1 text, 1 tune, strongly composite, starting with a verse perhaps from "Peggy Gordon," then the chorus of "Waly Waly (The Water Is Wide)," two more which might be anything, and a conclusion from "Carrickfergus")
Behan-IrelandSings, #37, "The Kerry Boatman" (1 text, 1 tune, with a new middle verse by Behan)
DT, CARRKFRG
Roud #26183
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "I'm Deep In Love, My Mind Is Troubled" (lyrics)
NOTES [41 words]: Frequently heard as an instrumental, but probably originally a song as the lyrics show little variation. - RBW
The construct noted for Peacock is neither unique nor recent. For a discussion of a verse recorded in 1778 see "Weary of Lying Alone." - BS
Last updated in version 5.0
File: San323

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