Carrickfergus

from Trad Song Tuesdays I by Piers Cawley

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about

St. Patrick's Day fell on a Tuesday in 2020, so the theme of Irish Songs was almost obligatory. When I started going to folk clubs in the nineties, my repertoire was almost entirely Irish material, but over time I discovered the English and Old Time American repertoire and fell in love with that, so the Irish stuff kind of fell away.

Carrickfergus was my “Big Song” for years, so it was nice to blow the cobwebs off and give it another airing.

lyrics

I wish I had you in Carrickfergus
Only for nights there in Ballygrand
I would swim over the deepest ocean
The deepest ocean to be by your side
But the sea is wide and I can't cross over
And neither have I wings to fly
I wish I had me a handy boatman
To ferry my over to my love and die

My childhood days bring back sad reflections
To happy times there spent so long ago
My boyhood friends and my own relations
Have all passed over like the melting snow
So I'll spend my days in endless roving
Soft is the grass and my bed is free
Oh to be with you in Carrickfergus
On the long road down to the salty sea

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

credits

from Trad Song Tuesdays I, released July 7, 2020

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Piers Cawley Doncaster, UK

A singer for as long as he can remember, Piers (he/they) sings Old Songs with a clarity and conviction that makes them as fresh as paint.

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Piers Cawley recommends:

Ballads Vol. I
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Six ballads, beautifully sung unaccompanied in a lovely plain style. I can almost see the likes of Lizzie Higgins and Belle Stewart standing at Iona's back as she sings and nodding their approval. Piers Cawley
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Songs From The Attic (Plus Extras)
by Jon Wilks

Jon's 'Grizzly Folk' blog was a wonderful source of thoughtful writing about folk songs, with most articles accompanied by a video of Jon's interpretation of the song. Now in a driver friendly format. Piers Cawley
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