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Clementine
Midi created by Bill Basham
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. According to a note in the UK Ballad Newsgroup, Montross based his composition on Down by the River Liv'd a Maiden by H. S. Thompson (1863). Clementine has since become a popular song with countless different verses for children, Scouts, etc.
Important Water Safety Message:
Drowning tragedies happen entirely too frequently for both children and adults, and that is actually the subject of this ballad. Notice that a key point is made in the verse where the singer admits "alas, I was no swimmer". Many water tragedies could be prevented by LEARNING TO SWIM and learning more about general water safety precautions
BEFORE going in or very near the water. Swimming lessons and lessons in water safety could save lives, while also ensuring that water sports stay "fun" for everyone. In addition, the children's version of the song also cautions kids to learn about artificial respiration (or CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)) as an immediate first aid treatment for drowning victims.
In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt a miner forty niner,
And his darling Clementine.
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.
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Drove she ducklings to the water
Ev'ry morning just at nine,
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine.
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles, soft and fine,
But, alas, I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine.
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
How I missed her! How I missed her,
How I missed my Clementine,
But I kissed her little sister,
I forgot my Clementine.
Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Children's (or Scout's) Version:
In a cavern, in a canyon
Excavating for a mine
Lived a miner forty-niner
And his daughter, Clementine
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
Sandals were for Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Drove her ducklings to the water
Every morning just at nine
Hit her foot against a splinter
Fell into the foaming brine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Ruby lips above the water
Blowing bubbles soft and fine
But, alas, I was no swimmer,
So I lost my Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Then the miner, forty-niner
Soon began to peak and pine
Thought he oughta join his daughter
Now he's with his Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
There's a churchyard on the hillside
Where the flowers grow and twine
There grow roses, mongst the posies
Fertilized by Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, 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 draw the line
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
Now you kids [or Scouts] may learn the moral
Of this little tale of mine
Artificial respiration
Would have saved my Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
How I missed her, how I missed her
How I missed my Clementine
Till I kissed her little sister
And forgot my Clementine
Oh, my darling, oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine
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