As I walked out one morning
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 ploughs 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 heart´s 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 he does remain."

"This is the banks of Claudy,
Fair maid, where 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 heard, 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."