Clementine

In a cavern, in a canyon, 
Excavating for a mine 
Dwelt a miner, '49-er, 
And his daughter Clementine

O my darling (x3) Clementine 
You are lost & 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

Drove she ducklings to the water 
Every morning just at nine 
Stubbed her toe against a splinter, 
Fell into the foaming brine

Ruby lips above the water, 
Blowing bubbles soft and fine 
But alas! 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, '49-er, 
Soon began to peak and pine 
Thought be 'oughter join his daughter, 
Now he's with his Clementine

In my dreams she still doth haunt me, 
Robed in garments soaked with brine 
Tho' in life I used to hug her, 
Now she's dead I draw the line

Now ye Boy Scouts, heed the warning 
To this tragic tale of mine 
Artificial respiration 
Would have saved my Clementine

How I missed her (x2) 
How I missed my Clementine 
Till I kissed her little sister 
And forgot my Clementine

A ’49-er was a miner in the gold rush of 1849