The Claudy Banks

The Copper FamilyThe Copper Fami… 

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The Copper Family

The Copper Family are a family of singers of traditional, unaccompanied English folk song. Originally from Rottingdean, near Brighton, Sussex, England, the nucleus of the family now live in the neighbouring village of Peacehaven. The family first came to the attention of folklorists in the late nineteenth century and received wider attention during the folk revival of the 1960s. They have a unique style of harmonised a capella singing, which is in stark contrast to the typical style of solo singing found among English folk singers. It is unknown whether this style is a remnant of something that was once popular, or if it is a unique phenomenon.Unlike many traditional singers, the family wrote down their own songs. Their unusual singing style has been passed… more »

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Twas on one summer's evening all in the month of May
 Down by a flow'ry garden where Betsy did stray.
 I overheard a damsel in sorrow to complain,
 All for her absent lover that ploughs the raging main.

I stepped up to this fair maid and put her in surprise,
 She owned she did not know me, I being all in disguise.
 I said, My charming creature, my joy and heart's delight,
 How far have you to travel this dark and rainy night?

Away, kind sir, to the Claudy banks if you will please to show,
 Pity a poor girl distracted for there I have to go.
 I am in search of a young man and Johnny is his name,
 And on the banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain.

If Johnny he was here this night he would keep me from all harm
 But he's in the field of battle all in his uniform,
 He is in the field of battle his foes he will destroy,
 Like a roaring King of honour all in the wars of Troy.

It was six months or better since my Johnny left the shore,
 He's a-cruising the wide ocean where the foaming billows roar,
 He's a-cruising the wide ocean for honour or for gain,
 But I'm told his ship got wreck-ed all on the coast of Spain.

When Betsy heard this dreadful news she fell into despair,
 In a-wringing of her hands and a-tearing of her hair.
 Since Johnny has gone and left me no man on earth I'll take,
 Down in some lonesome valley I'll wander for his sake.

Young Johnny hearing her say so he could no longer stand,
 He fell into her arms crying, Betsy, I'm that man,
 I am that faithful young man and whom you thought was slain,
 And since we met on Claudy banks we'll never part again.

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