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Claudy Banks

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[Intro]
F    Bb   C F
C Gm C  Bb  F   Bb F
[Verse]
Twas on one summer's evening, all Bbin the month of Gm7May
Down Fby a flowery garden, I CcarelessGmly did Cstray
I Bboverheard a Fyoung maid, in sorrow to complain
All for her Gm7handsome Fsailor Bbboy, who Fploughed the Craging FMain
[Verse]
I boldly stepped up to her and Bbput her in such surGm7prise
I'll Fvow she did not know me, I Cbeing all Gmin disCguise
Says, "BbI'm a charming Fcreature, my joy and heart's delight
How far have Gm7you to FtraBbvel this Fqueer and Cstormy Fnight?"
[Verse]
"My way, kind sir, to the Claudy Banks, if Bbyou will please to Gm7show
Pity Fa poor girl distracted, for Cthere I Gmhave to Cgo
I Bbam in search of a Fyoung man and Johnny is his name
Along the Gm7banks of FClauBbdy, I'm Ftold he Cdoes reFmain"
[Verse]
"'Tis six long months and better, since your Bbtrue love left the Gm7shore
In Fpassing the wide ocean, where CFrench's Gmcannons Croar
In Bbcrossing the wide Focean, with honour and for gain
I'm told his Gm7ship was FwrecBbked, all Fon the Ccoast of FSpain"
[Instrumental]
G    C   D G
D Am D  C  G   C G
[Verse]
Now, on hearing of this dreadful news, she Cfell into desAm7pair
With a Gwringing of her hands and a Dtearing Amof her Dhair
"Oh, Csince he's gone and Gleft me, no other Cman I'll Gtake
Oh, on the Am7banks of GClauCdy, I'll Gwander Dfor his Gsake"
[Verse]
Now, my heart was filled with joy that night, I Ccould no longer Am7stand
I Gfell into her arms, crying, "DBetsy, AmI'm that Dman
I Cam your faithful Gyoung man, whom once you Cthought was Gslain
But now, since we've Am7met on GClaudy CBanks, we'll Gnever Dpart aGgain"
[Outro]
C    F   G C
G Dm G  F  C   F C
Dm C F G  C  G
C    F   G C
G Dm G  F  C   F C
Dm C F G  C  G

All chords in this song (10)

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Claudy Banks

by Fairport Convention

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gm7

Am7

[Intro]

F Bb C F

C Gm C Bb F Bb F

[Verse]

Bb Gm7

Twas on one summer's evening, all in the month of May

F C Gm C

Down by a flowery garden, I carelessly did stray

Bb F

I overheard a young maid, in sorrow to complain

Gm7 F Bb F C F

All for her handsome sailor boy, who ploughed the raging Main

[Verse]

Bb Gm7

I boldly stepped up to her and put her in such surprise

F C Gm C

I'll vow she did not know me, I being all in disguise

Bb F

Says, "I'm a charming creature, my joy and heart's delight

Gm7 F Bb F C F

How far have you to travel this queer and stormy night?"

[Verse]

Bb Gm7

"My way, kind sir, to the Claudy Banks, if you will please to show

F C Gm C

Pity a poor girl distracted, for there I have to go

Bb F

I am in search of a young man and Johnny is his name

Gm7 F Bb F C F

Along the banks of Claudy, I'm told he does remain"

[Verse]

Bb Gm7

"'Tis six long months and better, since your true love left the shore

F C Gm C

In passing the wide ocean, where French's cannons roar

Bb F

In crossing the wide ocean, with honour and for gain

Gm7 F Bb F C F

I'm told his ship was wrecked, all on the coast of Spain"

[Instrumental]

G C D G

D Am D C G C G

[Verse]

C Am7

Now, on hearing of this dreadful news, she fell into despair

G D Am D

With a wringing of her hands and a tearing of her hair

C G C G

"Oh, since he's gone and left me, no other man I'll take

Am7 G C G D G

Oh, on the banks of Claudy, I'll wander for his sake"

[Verse]

C Am7

Now, my heart was filled with joy that night, I could no longer stand

G D Am D

I fell into her arms, crying, "Betsy, I'm that man

C G C G

I am your faithful young man, whom once you thought was slain

Am7 G C G D G

But now, since we've met on Claudy Banks, we'll never part again"

[Outro]

C F G C

G Dm G F C F C

Dm C F G C G

C F G C

G Dm G F C F C

Dm C F G C G

About Claudy Banks Chords by Fairport Convention

Learn how to play Claudy Banks by Fairport Convention with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Claudy Banks chords”, “Claudy Banks guitar chords”, or “Fairport Convention Claudy Banks chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Claudy Banks chords and for experienced players who want accurate Claudy Banks lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Bb, C, Gm, Gm7, G.

FAQ — Claudy Banks by Fairport Convention

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What key is "Claudy Banks" in?

The chords for "Claudy Banks" show the original chord names (including F, Bb, C, Gm, Gm7, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.