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 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 he 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 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."I'm walking through the summer nights
Jukebox playing low
Yesterday everything was going too fast
Today, it's moving too slow
I got no place left to turn
I got nothing left to burn
Don't know if I saw you, if I would kiss you or kill you
It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow
You left me standing in the doorway, crying
I got nothing to go back to now
The light in this place is so bad
Making me sick in the head
All the laughter is just making me sad
The stars have turned cherry red
I'm strumming on my gay guitar
Smoking a cheap cigar
The ghost of our old love has not gone away
Don't look like it will anytime soon
You left me standing in the doorway crying
Under the midnight moon
Maybe they'll get me and maybe they won't
But not tonight and it won't be here
There are things I could say but I don't
I know the mercy of God must be near
I've been riding the midnight train
Got ice water in my veins
I would be crazy if I took you back
It would go up against every rule
You left me standing in the doorway, crying
Suffering like a fool
When the last rays of daylight go down
Buddy, you'll roll no more
I can hear the church bells ringing in the yard
I wonder who they're ringing for
I know I can't win
But my heart just won't give in
Last night I danced with a stranger
But she just reminded me you were the one
You left me standing in the doorway crying
In the dark land of the sun
I'll eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry
And live my life on the square
And even if the flesh falls off of my face
I know someone will be there to care
It always means so much
Even the softest touch
I see nothing to be gained by any explanation
There are no words that need to be said
You left me standing in the doorway crying
Blues wrapped around my head