| Play/Download Music File Bill Basham |
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| The words and music to the tune are usually attributed to Percy Montross circa 1880. According to a post to the UK Ballad Newsgroup, Montross based his composition on Down by the River Liv'd a Maiden by H. S. Thompson (1863). A copy of the H.S. Thompson tune can be found at the Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music.
The tune has since become a popular song with countless different verses (for children, Scouts, etc), as well as some bawdy versions. |
In a cavern, in a canyon, Excavating for a mine Dwelt a miner forty niner, And his daughter Clementine Chorus Oh my darling, oh my darling, Oh my darling, Clementine! Thou art lost and gone forever Dreadful sorry, Clementine Light she was and like a fairy, And her shoes were number nine, Herring boxes, without topses, Sandals were for Clementine. Chorus Drove she ducklings to the water Ev'ry morning just at nine, Hit her foot against a splinter, Fell into the foaming brine. Chorus Ruby lips above the water, Blowing bubbles, soft and fine, But, alas, I was no swimmer, So I lost my Clementine. Chorus How I missed her! How I missed her, How I missed my Clementine, But I kissed her little sister, I forgot my Clementine. Chorus |
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| Information and lyrics from Best Loved Songs of the American People See Bibliography for full information. |
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