Carrickfergus
View chords used in this chart
A Bm E A E F#m
I wish I was in Carrickfergus
Bm E A Asus4 A
Only for nights in Ballygrand
Bm E A E F#m
I would swim over the deepest ocean
Bm E A Asus4 A
Only for nights in Ballygrand
F#m E
But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over
F#m D E
And neither have I the wings to fly
Bm E A E F#m
I wish I had a handsome boatman
Bm E A Asus4 A
To ferry me over my love and I.
A Bm E A E F#m
My childhood days bring back sad 'flections
Bm E A Asus4 A
Of happy days so long ago
A Bm E A E F#m
My boyhood friends and my own relations
Bm E A Asus4 A
Have all passed away now like melting snow
F#m E
So I'll spend my days in endless roving
F#m D E
Soft is the grass and my bed is free
Bm E A E F#m
Ah to be home now in Carrickfergus
Bm E A Asus4 A
By the the long road down to the salty sea.
A Bm E A E F#m
Now in Kilkenny it is reported
Bm E A Asus4 A
On marble stones there as black as ink
A Bm E A E F#m
With gold and silver I would support her
Bm E A Asus4 A
But I'll say no more now till I’ve had a drink
F#m E
For I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober
F#m D E
A handsome rover from town to town
Bm E A E F#m
Ah but I'm sick now and my days are numbered
Bm E A Asus4 A
So come all 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 A. 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.