Darling Clementine

My Darling Clementine

(Westminster, Maryland; late 20th century)

In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for 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,
Sandals were for Clementine.

Chorus

Drove she ducklings to the water
Ev'ry morning just at nine,
Stubbed her toe 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,
Neither was my Clementine.

Chorus

Then I saw them, saw those those boxes,
Bob atop the foaming brine.
Standing foursquare there within them
Was my darling Clementine.

Chorus

As I watched in helpless horror
'Round the river bend's slow twine,
Crying sadly, waving madly,
Disappeared my Clementine.

Chorus

When a year passed came a postcard
To my mailbox just at nine.
Saying "Paris is so lovely
In the spring. Signed, Clementine."

Chorus