The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

OH, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE

IN A CAVERN, IN A CANYON,
EXCAVATING GOT A MINE,
DWELT A MINER, FORTY NINER,
AND HIS DAUGHTER, CLEMENTINE.

CHORUS:
OH MY DARLING, OH MY DARLING,
OH MY DARLING, CLEMENTINE
YOU ARE LOST AND GONE FOREVER
DREADFUL SORRY CLEMENTINE.

LIGHT SHE WAS AND LIKE A FAIRY
AND HER SHOES WERE NUMBER NINE
HERRING BOXES WITHOUT TOPSES
SANDLES FOR MY CLEMENTINE.
SHE DROVE DUCKLINGS TO THE WATER
EVERY MORNING JUST AT NINE,
HIT HER FOOT AGAINST A SPLINTER
FELL INTO THE FOAMING BRINE.

RUBY LIPS ABOVE THE WATER
BLOWING BUBBLES SOFT AND FINE
ALAS FOR ME! I WAS NO SWIMMER
SO I LOST MY CLEMENTINE.
IN A CHURCHYARD NEAR THE CANYON
WHERE THE MYRTLE DOTH ENTWINE
THERE GROW ROSES AND OTHER POSIES
FERTILIZED BY CLEMENTINE.

THEN THE MINER, FORTY-NINER
SOON BEGAN TO PEAK AND PINE
THOUGHT HE OUGHT TO PINE HIS DAUGHTER
NOW HE'S WITH HIS CLEMENTINE.
IN MY DREAMS SHE STILL DOTH HAUNT ME
ROBED IN GARMENTS SOAKED IN BRINE
THOUGH IN LIFE I USED TO HUG HER,
NOW SHE'S DEAD I'LL DRAW THE LINE.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; FRATERNITY SONGBOOK

Date learned: NOT GIVEN