Claudy Banks

Lyrics

[Verse 1] 'Twas on a summer's evening, all in the month of May Down by a flowery garden where Betsy she did stray I overheard a fair maid in sorrow to complain All for her absent lover that ploughs the raging main [Verse 2] I stepped up to this fair maid and put her in surprise She owned she did not know me, I being all in disguise Says I, "My charming creature, my joy and heart's delight How far have you to travel this dark and rainy night?" [Verse 3] "Away, kind sir, to the Claudy banks if you will please to show Pity a poor girl distracted, for there I have to go I am in search of a young man, and Johnny is his name And on the banks of Claudy, I'm told hе does remain [Verse 4] And if Johnny he was hеre tonight, he'd keep me from all harm He's a-cruising the wide ocean in tempest and in storm He's a-cruising the wide ocean for honour or for gain" "But I'm told his ship's got wrecked all on the coast of Spain" [Instrumental Break] [Verse 5] Now, when Betsy heard this dreadful news, she fell into despair With a-wringing of her hands and a-tearing of her hair "Now Johnny's gone and left me no man on Earth, I'll take But in some lonesome valley I'll wander for his sake" [Verse 6] Young Johnny, hearing her say so he could no longer stand He fell into her arms, crying, "Betsy, I'm that man I am your faithful young man and whom you thought was slain But since we meet on Claudy banks, we'll never part again"