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