Clementine

Love Lost

The words and music to the tune are usually attributed to Percy Montross circa 1880. Montross apparently based his composition on Down by the River Liv'd a Maiden by H. S. Thompson (1863). The tune has since become a popular song with countless different verses (for children, Scouts, etc), as well as at least one bawdy version.

The Music
Clementine
[ 1:39 ] [ 19k ]

The Song
The song in this book which is sung to the tune of
"Clementine"

1. Clementine

Clementine

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.