Am  F  Am G Am

[Verse]
N.C. Am       G      F             C               Em
As   I walked out one morning, all in the month of May
     Am   G       F         Dm             Am
Down by a flowery garden, I carelessly did stray
      G       F              C             Em
I overheard a young maid, in sorrow did complain
    Am      G      F          Dm                 Am
All for her absent lover, who ploughs the raging main

[Verse]
         G         F           C             Em
I boldly stepped up to her and put her in surprise
  Am       G       F          Dm          Am
I know she did not know me, I being in disguise
            G        F            C                 Em
I says, "Me charming creature, my joy, my heart's delight
    Am       G      F           Dm              Am
How far have you to travel this dark and dreary night?"

[Verse]
        G                F               C             Em
"I'm in search of a faithless young man, Johnny is his name
     Am       G        F           Dm             Am
And along the Banks of Claudy, I'm told he does remain"
             G        F            C                 Em
"This is the Banks of Claudy, fair maid, whereon you stand
    Am      G       F           Dm                 Am
But don't depend on Johnny, for he's a false young man
            G       F           C                  Em
Oh, don't depend on Johnny, for he'll not meet you here
    Am    G          F                 Dm              Am    F  Am Em Am
But tarry with me in yon greenwood, no danger need you fear

[Verse]
                  G        F            C               Em
Oh, it's six long weeks or better since Johnny left the shore
     Am       G        F               Dm                   Am
He's crossing the wild ocean where the foam and the billows roar
              G        F         C              Em
He's crossing the wild ocean for honour and for fame
    Am        G          F                    Dm              Am      F
But this I've heard, the ship was wrecked all on the coast of Spain"

[Instrumental]
Am C F  Am C F  Am G F

[Verse]
         Am       G         F                   C            Em
Oh, it's when she heard this dreadful news, she flew into despair
       Am       G      F                        Dm             Am
By the wringing of her milk white hands and the tearing of her hair
                 G    F            C                 Em
"Say, if Johnny, he is drowned, no man on earth I'll take
            Am       G          F             Dm             Am
But through lonesome groves and valleys, I'll wander for his sake"

[Verse]
                 G      F            C               Em
Oh, it's when he saw her loyalty, no longer could he stand
   Am     G      F             Dm             Am
He flew into her arms saying, "Betsy, I'm the man"
                G      F               C                 Em
Saying, "Betsy, I'm the young man, the cause of all your pain
    Am          G      F                   Dm          Am     F
But since we've met on Claudy Banks, we'll never part again"

[Outro]
Am C F  Am C F  Am G F
Am C F  Am C F  Am G F