The Claudy Banks (Bob & Jim)

The Claudy Banks - The Copper Family

Twas on one summer's evening

All in the month of May

Down by a flowery garden

Where Betsy did stray

I overheard a damsel

In sorrow to complain

All for her absent lover

That ploughs the raging main

I stepped up to this fair maid

And put her in surprise

She owned she did not know me

I being all in disguise

I said My charming creature

My joy and heart's delight

How far have you to travel

This dark and rainy night

Away kind sir to the Claudy banks

If you will please to show

Pity a poor girl distracted

For there I have to go

I am in search of a young man

And Johnny is his name

And on the banks of Claudy

I'm told he does remain

If Johnny he was here this night

He would keep me from all harm

He's a-cruising the wide ocean

Where the foaming billows roar

He's a-cruising the wide ocean

For honour or for gain

But I'm told his ship got wreck-ed

All on the coast of Spain

When Betsy heard this dreadful news

She fell into despair

In a-wringing of her hands

And a-tearing of her hair

Since Johnny has gone

And left me no man on earth I'll take

Down in some lonesome valley

I'll wander for his sake

Young Johnny hearing her say

So he could no longer stand

He fell into her arms crying Betsy

I'm that man

I am that faithful young man

And whom you thought was slain

And since we met on Claudy banks

We'll never part again