G'day again Barry,

Here are Sally Sloane's words for "The Banks of Claudy" - as well as the ABC format tune. A search on "ABC Format" (or "~ Notation") should find one of the free sites that can turn this back into music ... and play it for you. (I'll also PM contact details to you so you can contact me for a MIDI file, if you wish).

I'll send a MIDI to MMario.

The Banks of Claudy
Source: Sally Sloane, Lithgow, NSW, Australia

It was on a summer's morning all in the month of May
Down by the banks of Claudy I carelessly did stray.
I overheard a female in sorrow to complain,
All for her absent lover that ploughed the raging main.

I stepped up unto her and gave her a big surprise;
I hoped she did not know me, I be in such disguise.
I say's, "My fairest creature, my joy and heart's delight,
How far do you mean to wander this dark and dreary night.

It's to the banks of Claudy, if you'll be pleased to show,
Take pity on a fair maid, who knows not where to go.
I'm searching for a young man, and Johnnie is his name,
And on the banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain.

"These are the banks of Claudy, fair maid, whereon you stand,
But do not trust your Johnnie, for he's a false young man.
But do not trust your Johnnie, for he'll not meet you here,
But tarry with me in green woods, no danger need you fear.

"If Johnnie was here this night he would keep me from all harm
He's in the field of battle, all in his uniform,
He's in the field of battle and his foes he does defy,
Like the loyal King of honour all on the walls of Troy."

"It's six long weeks or better since Johnnie left this shore,
A-crossing the main ocean where thundering billows roar,
A-crossing the main ocean for honour and for fame,
But I'm told the ship was wrecked nigh to the coast of Spain."

And when she heard this dreadful news she flew in deep despair,
A-wringing of her hands and a-tearing of her hair,
Saying, "If my Johnnie's drowned, no man alive I'll take;
Through lonesome shades and valleys I'll wander, all for his sake."

When he saw her loyalty, no longer could he stand,
He flew into her arms, saying, "Betsy, I'm the man!"
Saying, "Betsy, I'm the young man, the cause of all your pain,
Now since we've met on Claudy banks, we'll never part again."

Meredith, J & Anderson, H, Folk Songs of Australia and the men and women who sang them, Ure Smith, Sydney, 1967, pp 166/7.

ABC format rendition of the collected tune:

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:4/4
Q:1/4=100
K:C
D8|G3AB2D2|^F4G2B,2|C3CD2^F2|G6c2|B3AB2c2|
d3Bc2d2|G3GAG^F2|D6c2|B3AB2c2|d3Bc2d2|G3GAG^F2|
D6D2|G3AB2D2|^F4G2B,2|C3CD2^F2|G13/4||

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Click to play