Banks of Claudy
As I roved out one evening, being in the month of May,
Down by the sally garden I carelessly did stray,
I overheard a young maid in sorrow to complain
All for her absent lover, and Johnny was his name.
I stepped up to this young girl, I took her by surprise
I'd own she did not know me, I being in disguise,
Said I "My pretty fair maid, my joy and heart's delight,
Tell me how far you've travelled this dark and weary night."
"Kind sir, the road to Claudy would you be pleased to show
Take pity on a fair one who knows not where to go.
I'm in search of a faithless young man, and Johnny is his name,
Sure it's on the Banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain.
"This is the Banks of Claudy, the ground whereon you stand,
Do not depend on Johnny, for he's a false young man,
Do not depend on Johnny, he will not meet you here
But tarry with me in these green woods, no danger need you fear."
"Oh! if my Johnny were here this night, he'd keep me safe from harm
But he's on the field of battle, all in his uniform.
He's on the field of battle and his foes he does defy
Like a ruling prince of honour near to the walls of Troy."
"It's about six months or better since your Johnny left the shore
He's sailing on the ocean, where the foaming billows roar.
He's sailing on the ocean, for honour and bright fame.
As I'm told the ship was lost going round the coasts of Spain."
Oh! when she heard this dreadful news she could no longer stand,
To the tearing of her golden hair and the wringing of her hands
"Then since my Johnny's drowned no other man I'll take,
Through lonesome dales and valleys I'll wander for his sake."
Then when I saw her loyalty I could no longer stand,
I took her in my arms, saying "Betty, I'm your man!
I'm your true and constant Johnny, the cause of all your pain,
And since we met at Claudy we'll never part again!"
Bunting's Ancient Music of Ireland edited from the original manuscripts by Donal O' Sullivan
with Mícheal Ó Súilleabháin, 1983, Cork University Press, pp67-68.
Banks of Claudy
Lyric