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The NEW BANKS of CLADY.
It was on the Banks of Clady I heard a maid complain,Setting forth her lamentation nigh to a purling streamShe says, I am confined, bound in the bands of love,All by a brisk young Weaver who did inconstant prove.
Then to my deep vexation he to me did express,As I was sitting by him upon the verdant grass,He says, fair maid I'm sorry, it's for me you do grieve,As I'm engag'd already your suit I can't relieve,
Johnny my dear jewel don't treat me with disdain,To leave me here behind you in sorrow to complain,For if you do forsake me for ever I'm undone,Quite void of shame and danger distracted I will run.
With inward grief and anguish I languish and complainSince with fond embraces my charmer I can't obtain,He has me now forsaken, and left me to feel the smart,The grief that I lie under will break my tender heart.
It was on the banks of Clady my love and I did meet,In our private conversation our joys for to complete,The pretty feather'd songsters their notes did sweetly strain,While in my lovers arms he did me entertain.
Each night in my soft slumbers I'm grieved in my mind,By an unconstant lover who to me has prov'd unkind,So all ye slothful females observe this and shun my fate,For surely some repentance will 'tend you when it's too late.
Ye bonny Belfast mountains now grant me some relief,Or were it in your power to imitate my grief, Had you a tongue to prattle you could tell sweet tales of love,Of the bonny boy from Clady who does unconstant prove.
By whose deluding charms I was first led astray,When I was young and tender my heart who did betray,May cunning Cupid wound you, that you may feel the pain,What it is to love sincerely and not to get love again.
Adieu now to all pleasures, since fortune prov'd unkind,For my Johnny he has left me in sorrow here behind,Kind providence protect him while on earth he does remain,And to his best beloved his loyalty maintain.
FINIS.
