Full Lyrics of Oh My Darling Clementine

Oh my darling, oh my darling
Oh my darling, Clementine
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

In a cavern, in a canyon
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt 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 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
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

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
You are lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Oh My Darling Clementine

If you grew up singing classic campfire songs, you’re sure to be familiar with the timeless folk ballad “Clementine”. You know the one, with its catchy melody telling the sad story of a miner’s lost love. This sentimental song about a lost love is a favorite among cowboy wannabes like myself.

With its catchy melody and sad storyline, “Clementine” has been capturing listeners’ hearts since it first emerged back in the 1880s. It’s remained one of the most quintessential campfire tunes for over a century, being handed down through generations.

I can still remember learning the lyrics as a child, crooning about sweet Clementine by the flickering campfire late into the night. We’d sing verse after verse, our young voices joining together to bring the tragic tale of Clementine to life. The song would get stuck in all our heads, and we’d find ourselves humming it long after the embers burned low.

As I grew older, “Clementine” remained a campfire staple. Whenever I went hiking or camping with friends, someone would inevitably break out their guitar or banjo and play those familiar chords. We’d all chime in, bellowing out the chorus about lost and gone forever. The song never failed to get everyone singing.

Even now as an adult, hearing “Clementine” instantly transports me back to those childhood campouts. Sitting around a crackling fire, roasting marshmallows on sticks, laughing with friends late into the night. That classic folk song is woven into so many of my cherished memories. It’s no wonder “Clementine” has stood the test of time. More than a century later, its catchy melody and timeless lyrics still have a way of capturing hearts, inviting everyone to join together in song.

Origins and Meaning

Now folks, there’s a bit of mystery surrounding the roots of the song, “Clementine”. The birthplace and songwriter remain unknown, with different regions and lyricists laying claim to being the original source over the years.

Some reports say the lyrical ballad originated in the California gold mines during the 1880s. The most common story credits a young miner named Percy Montrose, who supposedly wrote the song after his sweetheart named Clementine tragically drowned in the river.

However, the lyrics more likely evolved gradually through oral tradition, with different regions putting their own spin on the tale over time. The first published song sheet appeared in 1884, crediting lyricist H.S. Thompson.

Whatever its exact origins, the song spread like wildfire in the late 19th century through popular performance groups, camp gatherings, and traveling minstrel shows.

The lyrics tell a woeful tale of lost love between a miner and the darling girl Clementine. After a tragic accident leaves poor Clementine dead, the remorseful miner grieves the loss of his sweetheart.

Each verse offers colorful images and western details, transporting listeners to the era’s mining towns and cowboy culture. The refrain “How I missed her, how I missed her” tugs right at the heartstrings.

Fun Facts

• Due to its popularity, “Clementine” became one of the few American folk ballads to be translated into other languages over the years
• There are spoofs and parodies galore, like “We’ll All Go Together When We Go” by Tom Lehrer in 1959
• Versions have been recorded by music legends like Pete Seeger, Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong
• It’s featured in countless films, such as 1946’s “My Darling Clementine” and 1960’s “TheBucket List”

Conclusion

Well I’ll be, after all these years, “Clementine” certainly hasn’t lost her appeal! This sentimental ballad continues to be a campfire and singalong staple after more than a century.

With its timeless tale of lost love and catchy melody, it’s no wonder generations of parents, teachers, and camp counselors keep passing down this classic ditty. Whether sung atop a haystack, beside a campfire, or during a road trip game, “Clementine” brings folks together through the unifying joy of music.

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a might bit sentimental. Care to share your favorite childhood memories or family traditions involving this gem of a folk song? And if you’ve got younguns, be sure to teach them this tune so it can live on for years to come.

For more memory-making songs to sing with your kiddos, mosey on back to my list of the best kids’ singalong tunes. Now let’s all take it from the top – “Oh my darlin’, Oh my darlin’…”

https://thecornydad.com/50-fun-and-educational-kiddie-songs-with-lyrics

Hey there! I'm Allen, but you can call me "The Corny Dad" from Canada. I have a wife and four kiddos. Yep, one's full grown, but they'll always be my babies. When I'm not doing something with my family or playing video games, I'm here, jotting down my bits of wisdom on this blog. From the fun stuff to the parenting chaos, I cover it all. Believe me, with the right attitude, parenting's a smoother ride and I'm here to help.