All in the month of May
 Down by a flowery garden
 I carelessly did stray

 I overheard a young maid
 In sorrow did complain,
 All for her absent lover
 Who plows the raging main.

 I boldly stepped up to her
 And put her in surprise.
 I know she did not know me
 I being in disguise.

 I says, "Me charming creature,
 My joy, my hearts delight,
 How far have you to travel
 This dark and dreary night?"

 "I'm in search of a faithless young man.
 Johnny is his name.
 And along the Banks of Claudy
 I'm told be does remain."

 "This is the Banks of Claudy
 Fair maid where on you stand.
 But don't depend on Johnny
 For he's a false young man.

 Oh don't depend on Johnny
 For he'll not meet you here.
 But tarry with me in yon green woods
 No danger need you fear

 Oh it's six long weeks or better
 Since Johnny left the shore
 He's crossing the wild ocean
 Where the foam and the billows roar

 He's crossing the wild ocean
 For honour and for fame.
 But this I've beard, the ship was wrecked
 All on the coast of Spain."

 Oh it's when she heard this dreadful news
 She flew into despair
 By the wringing of her milk white hands
 And the tearing of her hair.


 Saying "If Johnny he is drowned
 No man on earth I'll take,
 But through lonesome groves and valleys
 I'll wander for his sake."


 Oh it's when he saw her loyalty
 No longer could he stand
 He flew into her arms saying
 "Betsy I'm the man."

 "Saying Betsy I'm the young man
 The cause of all your pain
 But since we've met on Claudy Banks
 We'll never part again