DESCRIPTION:
Clyde’s Bonny Banks
Author: Trad / Arr: Christy Moore

I heard this by way of Henri's notions

So it's always good to have a sad song to go with a couple of happy ones. The tune sounds familiar. I think it must of been on a Peter Paul and Mary album as well? Maybe a different song could at any rate one last song to balance out the night from happy to sad on this Fourth of July 2017

My guitars to halfstep slower.

Cords are pretty obvious C F G E

By Clyde’s Bonnie Banks as I sadly did wander,
Among the pit heaps as evening drew nigh.
I spied a fair maiden all dressed in deep mourning,
She was weeping and wailing with many a sigh.
I stepped up beside her and thus I addressed her;
“Pray tell me fair maid of your sorrow and pain.”
Oh sobbing and sighing at last she did answer;
“Johnny Murphy, kind sir, was my true lover’s name.”

Twenty one years of age full of youth and good looking,
To work in the mines of high Blantyre he came.
The wedding was fixed all the guest were invited,
That calm summers evening my Johnny was slain.
The explosion was heard, all the women and children,
With pale anxious faces they ran to the mine.
When the news was made known all the hills rang with mourning,
Three hundred and ten young miners were slain.

Now husbands and wives and sweethearts and brothers,
That Blantyre explosion you’ll never forget.
And all you young miners that hear my sad story,
Remember your comrades who lie at their rest.

also see

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/scottish-folk-music/001040.HTM