BANKS OF CLAUDY

As I rode out one evening all in the month of May
Down by the Banks of Claudy I carelessly did stray.
I came upon a young maid in sorrow did complain
Lamenting on her own true love who had crossed the raging main

(CH) Aye-oh, aye-oh, he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart all on the walls of Troy

I stepped up unto her and caught her in great surprise
I own she did not know me for I was in disguise
I said 'My pretty fair maid, my joy and heart's delight,
How far d'you mean to wander on this dark and dreary night?'

'Oh the banks of Claudy I wish you would me show
Take on a fair young maid who has nowhere else to go
For I'm in search of a young man, young John it is his name
And on the banks of Claudy I hear he does remain.'

(CH)

'These are the banks of Claudy on where you do now stand
Do not believe your Johnny for he is a false young man
Do not believe your Johnny, he will not meet you here
Through the green woods you may tarry, no danger may you fear.'

'Oh but if my Johnny was here tonight he would keep me from all harm
But he's on the field of battle and in his uniform
He's on the field of battle, all danger does defy
Like a royal king of honour all on the walls of Troy.'

(CH)

'It's six long months and better since my Johnny left the shore
To cross the raging ocean where the thundering billows roar
To cross the raging ocean, for honour and for fame.'
'I heard his ship was wrecked all on the cruel coast of Spain'

As soon as she had heard this she fell in a deep despair
A-wringing of her lily white hands and a-tearing of her hair
Crying 'If my Johnny's drownded, no other man I'll take
Through lonesome woods and valleys will I wander for his sake.'

(CH)

As soon as he had heard this no longer could he stand
He flew into her arms crying 'Betsy I'm your man'
Crying 'Betsy I'm the young man who's caused you grief and pain
And since we've met on Claudy Banks we will never part again.'

(CH)^^