Carrickfergus
View chords used in this chart
Intro: D Em A D Bm Em A
D Em A D Bm
I wish I was, in Carrickfergus
Em A D
Only for nights, in Ballygrant
Em A D Bm
I would swim over the deepest ocean
Em A D
The deepest ocean to be by your side
A D Bm A
But the sea is wide and I can't swim over
D Bm G A
And nor have I the wings to fly
Em A D Bm
If I could find me a handy boatman
Em A D
To ferry me over to my love and die
Em A D Bm
My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Em A D
Of happy time spend so long ago.
Em A D Bm
My boyhood friends and my own relations
Em A D
Have all passed on like the melting snow
A D Bm A
I'll spend my days in endless roving
D Bm G A
Soft is the grass and my bed is free
Em A D Bm
Oh to be home now in Carrickfergus
Em A D
On the long road down to the salty sea
Em A D Bm
And in Kilkenny it is reported
Em A D
On marble stone as black as ink
Em A D Bm
With gold and silver I did support her
Em A D
But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink
A D Bm A
For I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober
D Bm G A
A handsome rover from town to town
Em A D Bm
Oh but I am sick now and my days are numbered
Em A D
So come on ye young men and lay me down
How to play Carrickfergus
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.