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lyrics

’Twas on a summer’s evening all in the month of May
Down by a flowery garden I carelessly did stray
I overheard a damsel in sorrow to complain
All for her absent lover who ploughed the raging main

I stepped up to this fair maid which put her in surprise
I own she did not know me, my being in disguise
I said, ‘My charming creature, my joy and heart’s delight,
How far have you to travel this dark and dreary night?’

‘A way, kind sir, to Claudy Banks, if you will please to show
Pity a girl distracted not knowing where 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.

Oh if Johnny was with me this night he’d keep me from all harm
But he’s in the field of battle all in his uniform
He’s in the field of battle his foe for to destroy
Like a roaring king of honour fought in the war of Troy.’

‘Well it’s six long weeks, dear lady, since your Johnny left this shore
A-crossing the wide ocean where foaming billows roar
A-crossing the wide ocean for honour and for gain
But I’m told his ship was wrecked all on the coast of Spain.’

On hearing of this dreadful news it put her in despair
In wringing of her tender hands and tearing of her hair.
‘Since Johnny’s gone and left me no other man I’ll take,
Down in some lonesome valley I’ll wander for his sake.’

On hearing how this maiden spoke I could no longer stand,
I fell into her arms crying, ‘Betsy, I’m that man!
I am that faithful young man who you had thought was slain,
Now since we’ve met on Claudy Banks we’ll never part again.’

credits

from A Life Spent Staring At Chairs, released April 9, 2018
Traditional song, arranged by Paul Carbuncle.

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Paul Carbuncle Nottingham, UK

You can take the lad out of Pluckley but he'll still sing about hops.

Profile photo by Hugh Miller.

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