History of the Song: Although the author and copyright
status for Clementine are "unknown" the words and music
to the original version of the song are usually attributed
to Percy Montross, circa 1880 based on an 1863 song
"Down by the River Lived a Maiden" by H.S. Thompson.
This is the story of a family of a miner, forty-niner:
a gold miner who went to California in search of a fortune
during the 1849 gold rush.
Oh My Darling Clementine By Connie Francis and Jonny Hills
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CLEMENTINE
Tune
In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt a miner forty niner,
And his daughter Clementine
Chorus
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
Percy Montross
CHORUS
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
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