Irish Song Lyrics 
from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
The Banks of Claudy 
It being on a fine summer's evening all on the month of May Down by a flowery garden where Bessie she did stray I overheard a fair maid in sorrow and in pain Was all for her true lover who ploughed the raging main. I went up to this fair maid, I took her by 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 have you to travel this dark and dreary night?" "Kind sir, the way to Claudy banks if you would please to show 
Pity a maid in distraction for I have so far to go I am in search of a young man and Johnny is his name It's on the banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain." "This is the banks of Claudy, the very place you stand 
But don't depend on Johnny for he's a false young man Don't depend on Johnny for he'll not meet you here But come with me to yon green woods, no longer need you fear." "If Johnny dear was here tonight he'd keep me from all harm 
He's in the field of battle all in his uniform He's in the field of battle and his foes he does defy Like the roaring king of Honor who fought through the wars of Troy." "It's six long months or better since Johnny left the shore 
He's crossing the wide ocean where foaming billows roar He's crossing the wide ocean for honor and for fame But I am told his ship was wrecked all off the coast of Spain." When she heard this dreadful news she fell in deep despair 
With the ringing of her hands and the tearing of her hair "Since Johnny he has left me, no other man I'll take But through lonesome groves and valleys I'll wander for his sake." When he heard her loyalty he could no longer stand 
He fell into her arms, saying "Bessie, I am the man I am this heartless young man, the cause of all your pain And since we met on Claudy banks, we'll never part again."