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As I walked out one evening, all
in the month of May
Down by the banks of Claudy, I carelessly did stray
I overheard a maiden who in sorrow did complain
All for her absent lover who ploughs the raging main
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I boldly stepped up to her and
put her in surprise
I know she did not know me, I being in disguise
I says, 'my charming maiden, my joy and heart's delight
How far have you to travel this dark and dreary night?
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'Tis to the Banks of Claudy that
I now wish to go
And if you know its whereabouts, then please do tell me so
I'm seeking out a young man, and Johnny is his name
Along the banks of Claudy, I'm told he does remain
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This is the banks of Claudy, I
told her, where you stand
But don't depend on Johnny, for he's a false young man
He sailed across the ocean, for fortune and for fame
But this I've heard, his ship was wrecked all on the coast of
Spain
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'Tis when she heard this dreadful
news, she flew into despair
By wringing of her milk-white hands and tearing of her hair
Saying 'If my Johnny, he be drowned, no man on earth I'll take
Through lonesome groves and valleys, I'll wander for his sake
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'Tis when I saw her loyalty, no
longer could I stand
I cast off my disguising garb saying, 'Betsy, I'm the man'
Saying, 'Betsy, I'm your Johnny, the cause of all your pain
But since we've met by Claudy's banks, we'll ne'er will part
again'
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