Banks Of Claudy lyrics

Trad. arr. by Loreena McKennitt

As I walked out one morning
All in the month of May
Down by a flower garden
I carelessly did stray

I overheard a young maid
In sorrow did complain,
All for her absent lover
Who plows the ranging main.

I boldly stepped up to her
And put her in surprise.
I know she did not know me
I being in disguise.

I says, `Me charming creature,
My joy, my hearts delight,
How far have you to travel
This dark and dreary night?`

`I`m in search of a faithless young man.
Johnny is his name.
And along the Banks of Claudy
I`m told he does remain.`

`This is the Banks of Claudy
Fair maid where on you stand.
But don`t depend on Johnny
For he`s a false young man.

Oh don`t depend on Johnny
For he`ll not meet you here.
But tarry with me in yon green woods
No danger need you fear.

Oh it`s six long weeks or better
Since Johnny 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 ths I`ve heard, the ship was wrecked
All on the coast of Spain.`

Oh it`s when she heard this dreadful news
She flew into despair.
By the wringing of her milk white hands
And the tearing of her hair.

Saying `If Johnny he is drowned
No man on earth I`ll take,
But through lonesome groves and valleys
I`ll wander for his sake.`

Oh 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 the young man
The cause of all your pain
But since we`ve met on Claudy Banks
We`ll never part again.`
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