I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I was a youth again
But a youth again I can never be
Till apples grow on an ivy tree

I left me father, I left me mother
I left all my sisters and brothers too
I left all my friends and me own religion
I left them all for to follow you

But the sweetest apple is the soonest rotten
And the hottest love is the soonest cold
And what can't be cured love has to be endured love
And now I am bound for America

Oh love is pleasin' and love is teasin'
And love is a pleasure when first it's new
But as it grows older sure the love grows colder
And it fades away like the morning dew

And love and porter makes a young man older
And love and whiskey makes him old and grey
And what can't be cured love has to be endured love
And now I am bound for America