Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)

Subject: Lyr Add: CARRICKFERGUS
From: Nynia
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 08:53 PM

Mary tells me that I sing more verses than are currently in the DT, so here's the version I sing. Most people seem to sing Van's shortened version these days.


CARRICKFERGUS.

I wish I had you in Carrickfergus
Only four nights in Ballygrand
I would swim over the deepest ocean
The deepest ocean to be by your side
But the water is wide I cannot get over
And neither have I wings to fly
Oh I wish I could find me a handy boatman
To ferry me over to my love and die

The night was dark and the sky uneasy
The mighty ocean was tossed and wild
When my own true love, sweet Bridget Vessey
She crossed the ocean and left me behind
Left me behind to count my losses
And see my sweet darling in every glass
How sweet is living, but yet I'm crying
How long the dark night, it takes to pass

My childhood days bring back sad reflection
Of happy times spent so long ago
My boyhood friends and my own relations
Have all passed on like melting snow
But I spend my days in endless roaming
Soft is the grass and my bed is free
Oh to be home now in Carrickfergus
On the long road down to the salty sea

And in Kilkenny it is reported
On marble stones as black as ink
With gold and silver I did support her
But I'll sing no more 'till I get a drink
I'm drunk to the day and I'm seldom sober
A handsome rover from town to town
Oh but I am sick now and my days are numbered
So come all ye young men and lay me down

Twelve months from now in Carrickfergus
Enquire for me and you'll see my grave
The greenest turf in all of Ireland
Will cover me as I take my rest
My troubles done, my wandering over
I'll go no more, from town to town
I'm going home now to Carrickfergus
I'll get some young men to lay me down.


Nynia


:-)

-)

)

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:05 PM

Thanks Nynia, I'll make sure dick sees this. And of course, I'm printing it out for next time. *BG*

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 01 - 10:58 PM

(oh no, not Carrickfergus again------help!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 08:24 PM

Sorcha, indeed.
Carrickfergus is well discussed in former threads but the last word has not yet been said. The verses above quoted are non-traditional with the exception of one and four.
The earliest version was first recorded in ballad sheets from pre-Famine Ireland and was in both Irish and English. The latest examples collected in the field date from the 20th century and were also macaronic. In the re-popularisation of the song in the "revival" of the 1960's, the Irish verses were omitted, thus mutilating the song.

Annraoi

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Alice
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 10:33 PM

Nynia and Mary, see this thread Origins of Carrickfergus

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Nynia
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 10:42 PM

Mary suggested that I post the lyrics I sang on Paltalk as they were not on the DT. This I did. You can be sure that I won't bother to take the time to write out lyrics for anyone in the future.


Nynia

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: harpgirl
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 11:51 PM

...I hope you change your mind, Nynia if you are serious. I heard you sing your version of Carrickfergus and I thought it was breathtakingly beautiful!!! Thank you for the words! But we have had some loooooonnng discussions about song minutiae...and the pedantry can be trying! hrpgrl

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:16 AM

No offense intended in letting you know about the previous information about Carrickfergus. Since you love the song, just thought you'd be interested in its history.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 09:10 AM

I'm sorry if my smart ass comment above was interpreted as a Nasty. It was not. It was a reference to an old thread on Carrickfergus that would not die.......I apologize Nynia, if I hurt your feelings.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 10:19 AM

Alice, thanks for reminding me of that thread again. I had read it, but it's certainly one that bears reading again, especially after hearing Nynia sing the song.

I think Áine summed it up well when she said (quoting James N. Healey):

this song is ... of uncertain origin, and, in the various forms in which it is heard, incomplete. Nevertheless the effect of sadness comes over well --

The effect of sadness is what I hear when Nynia sings it. Having the words to follow along makes it even more meaningful. Now if someone can sing the gaelic...I'd love those words too.

As always, Nynia, thanks...this is a standing request.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Carrickfergus (full version?)
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 11:26 AM

Hey, Sorcha, ;-) I hope that Carrickfergus thread never dies! I love it, and still have my request there for a translation of the verses written in Irish. I've traced the thread and check on it often for any new signs of life.

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I closed this thread in an attempt to avoid splitting the discussion. Please post here (click) or in one of the related threads listed in the crosslinks toward the top of this page.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-