Carrickfergus
Joan Baez · Other Songs - Joan Baez
Only for nights 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 swim over
And neither have I wings to fly.
I wish I could find me a handy boatman
To ferry me over to my love and die.
My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy days so long ago.
My boyhood friends and my own relations.
Have all passed on 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 home now in Carrickfergus,
On the long road down to the salty sea.
And in Kilkenny it is reported
On marble stone there as black as ink,
With gold and silver I did support her
But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink.
I'm drunk today and I'm rarely sober,
A handsome rover from town to town.
Oh but I am sick now and my days are numbered
Come all ye young men and lay me down
Carrickfergus - Joan Baez
Joan Baez's 1963 recording of 'Carrickfergus' stands as a defining moment in her career, blending folk tradition with social consciousness. Originally a traditional Irish song, Baez's arrangement infuses the piece with a distinctive vocal style and acoustic guitar accompaniment that became a staple of her repertoire. The track exemplifies her ability to adapt folk material for contemporary audiences while maintaining its authentic roots. Released during a period of heightened civil rights activism, the song's themes of community and shared struggle resonated deeply with listeners, reinforcing Baez's status as a leading voice in the American folk revival. Her rendition remains a celebrated example of how traditional melodies can be reimagined to address modern social issues.