Traditional
I Wish I Was in Belfast Town
You rambling boys of pleasure, give ear to these lines I write
Although I’m a rover, and in rambling I take great delight
I cast my mind on a handsome girl who ofttimes she does me slight
But my mind is never easy till my true love is in my sight

Down by yon flow’ry gardens, where me and my true love do meet
I took her in my arms, and unto her gave kisses sweet
She bade take love easy, just as the leaves fall from the tree
But I being young and foolish, with my own truе love could not agree

And the second timе I met my love, I thought that her heart was surely mine
But as the season changes, my darling girl has changed her mind
Gold is the root of evil, although it bears a glistening hue
Causes many the lad and the lass to part, though their hearts, like mine, be e’er so true

Sure I wish I was in Belfast town, and my true love along with me
With money in my pocket to keep us in good company
Liquor to be plenty, a flowing glass on every side
Hard fortune would ne’er daunt me, for I am young and the world is wide