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Roud Folk Song Index #386

This is the traditional song You Rambling Boys of Pleasure
capo 2, after Andy Irvine. The timing on this one can be pretty tricky.

    I Wish I Was in Belfast Town

    by trad
    You rambling boys of plea- sure
    Give ear unto these lines I write
    I own I am a ro- ver
    In rambling I take great de- light
    I cast my mind on a handsome girl
    And often times she does me slight
    My mind is never ea- sy
    'cept when my true love is in my sight.

    Down by yon flowery gar- dens
    Where me and my true love do meet
    I took her in my a- rms
    And unto her gave kisses sweet
    She bade me take love ea- sy
    Just as the leaves fall from the tree
    But I being young and fool- ish
    With my true love I did not agree.

    Bridge in to

    And the second time I met my love
    I thought that her heart was surely mine
    But as the season chan- ges
    My darling girl has changed her mind
    Gold is the root of e- vil
    Although it bears a glistening hue
    Causes many a lad and lass to part
    Though their hearts like ^mine be e’er so true.

    And I wish I was in Belfast town
    And my true love a- long with me
    And money in my poc- ket
    To keep us in good compa- ny
    Liquor to be plen- ty
    A flowing glass on every side
    Hard fortune would ne’er daunt me
    For I am young and the world is wide.