According to the film credits, I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN is "traditional, with additional lyrics by Anthony Minghella," and it is performed by Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus, and Ray Winstone. The soundtrack album, however, says it is performed by Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus, and Tim O'Brien.

The oldest recording by that name seems to be a field recording made in 1965, in which it is sung by Dillard Chandler. This version can be found on the collection "High Atmosphere." There are also recordings by The Be Good Tanyas and Uncle Tupelo.

I WISH, I WISH is obviously related, but not quite the same.

Following is a composite from several sources on the Internet.

I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN

I wish, I wish my baby was born,
And sitting on its papa's knee.
And me, poor girl, were dead and gone,
And the green grass growing over me.

I'm not no saint, nor I never shall be
'Til the sweet apple grows from the sour apple tree,
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I shall be as one.