My transcription from the the recording on YouTube:


CARRIG RIVER
As recorded by Shades of MacMurrough on "Carrig River" (1972)

As I roamed out one evening in the pleasant month of May,
It was down by Carrig River I carelessly did stray,
Where the hawthorn and the sweet briar they would your heart illume,
With the rippling of the waters when the fraughans* were in bloom.

'Tis often that with vain regrets we think of things we've seen.
We have lived the past, but can't forget or mourn what might have been.
As we strayed along, the birds' sweet song was ringing in the sky
For the lonely church of Carrig where our Ninety-Eight men lie.

I do remember long ago when together we did roam
Through the lonely dells of Carrig where the woodcock makes its home.
All nature it was smiling along each rocky side
And the silvery stream go down between to join the Slaney tide.

Oh, the thoughts of you, sweet Carrig Hill, are ever on my mind.
I have roamed the wide world over, your equal could not find;
With your lofty cliffs and waterfalls, 'tis them I do adore.
So fare thee well, sweet Carrig Hill; adieu for ever more.


* Spelling as given in Wikipedia, along with the Irish spelling fraochán