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Lyr Req: Claudy Banks (from Eliza Carthy)

25 Jan 06 - 10:25 AM (#1655457)
Subject: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: GUEST,James

I would like to have the lyrics to Claudt Banks as sung by Eliza Carthy. I am especially curious about the "Walls of Troy" chorus. Thank you.

25 Jan 06 - 10:39 AM (#1655467)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: Wolfgang

Claudy Banks

Wolfgang
Lyrics copy-pasted from the link cited above.
-Joe Offer-
Claudy Banks

Sung by Eliza Carthy of Waterson:Carthy on their Common Tongue CD.
As I rode out one evening all in the month of May
Down by the banks of Claudy I carelessly did stray
There I beheld a fair maid in sorrow did complain
Lamenting of her own true love who had crossed the raging main

Ey-oh ey-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 do 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 Johnny it is his name
And on the banks of Claudy I hear he does remain

Ey-oh ey-oh he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart
All on the walls of Troy

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

Oh but if Johnny he 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 in the wars of Troy

Ey-oh ey-oh he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart
All on the walls of Troy

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
And 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
Awringing of her lily-white hands and atearing of her hair
Saying If my Johnny's drownded no other man I'll take
Through lonesome woods and valleys will I wander for his sake

Ey-oh ey-oh he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart
All on the walls of Troy

As soon as he had heard this no longer could he stand
He flew into her arms crying Betsy I'm the man
Saying 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

Ey-oh ey-oh he is my darling boy
He is the darling of my heart
All on the walls of Troy


New: 1 April 2000 |
Garry Gillard fecit.

25 Jan 06 - 10:41 AM (#1655468)
Subject: RE: Lyr ADD
From: Peace

That version should be added to the DT.

25 Jan 06 - 03:08 PM (#1655541)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: MartinRyan

One of my favourite versions. Tune is a version of Star of the County Down/Dives and Lazarus.

Regards

27 Jan 06 - 10:36 PM (#1656808)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: Jim Dixon

Several versions of CLAUDY BANKS a.k.a. THE BANKS OF CLAUDY have been posted in these threads:

Seeking Irish Lyrics

Lyr Add: Claudy Banks/Where are the Claudy Banks?

Bound To See My Mother 10000 Miles Away

Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyrics

and in the DT:

CLAUDY BANKS

31 Jan 06 - 09:40 AM (#1658257)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: GUEST,James

Thank you all very much> Does anyone know where this chorus came from ? It seems an odd addition to the song.

31 Jan 06 - 10:09 AM (#1658283)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: Malcolm Douglas

It came from Frederick White of Southampton. George Gardiner and J F Guyer noted the song from him in January 1909; it was published in The Journal of the Folk-Song Society, vol III (13) 1909, pp 287-9. A phonograph recording which appears to be Mr White singing the song survives (Vaughan Williams Memorial Library; you can hear it on the EFDSS cd A Century of Song) and it seems from Martin Carthy's sleevenotes that that's where Waterson:Carthy learned it.

It's the only example of the song found with a chorus that I can think of. The "walls of Troy" turn up in some oral versions, deriving from "wars of Troy" in broadside editions.

31 Jan 06 - 05:26 PM (#1658507)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Claudy Banks-Carthy
From: Bob the Postman

The chorus has been adapted from this verse, found in some versions of Claudie Banks:

"If my Johnnie he was here this night he'd keep me from all harm,
But he's in the field of battle and he wears a uniform.
He's in the field of battle and his foes he will destroy,
Just like the king of honour all on the walls of Troy."