This is very nice, thanks! I sing this sometimes and have only used Loreena McKennitt's version for lyrics...this is interesting, but I find it somewhat confusing when there is a reference to him being both a soldier AND a sailor...

for the record, since it sounds like Loreena's version is not the one in the DT:

As I walked out one morning all in the month of May.
Down by a flowery garden I carelessly did stray,
I overheard a young maid in sorrow did complain,
All for her absent lover who ploughed the raging maine.

I boldly stepped up to her and put her in surprise,
I know she did not know me, I being in disguise,
I said, "My charming creature, my joy, my heart's delight,
How far have you to travel this dark and dreary night."

"I'm searching for a young man, Johnnie is his name,
And along the banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain."
"These are the banks of Claudy, fair maid, Whereon you stand,
But don't depend on Johnnie for he's a false young man,
No, don't depend on Johnnie for he'll not meet you here,
But tarry with me in yon green wood no danger need you fear."

" 'Tis six long weeks or better since Johnnie left the shore,
He's crossing the wild ocean where the foam and the billows roar,
He's crossing the wild ocean for honour and for fame,
But this I've heard: the ship was wrecked along the coast of Spain."

"And it's when she heard this dreadful news she flew into despair,
By the wringing of her milk-white hands, the tearing of her hair.
"If Johnnie he be drownd-ed, no nor love I'll take,
But through lonesome groves and valleys I'll wander for his sake."

And it's 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 that young man, the cause of all your pain,
But since we've met on the Claudy banks we'll never part again.