It’s a song many of us first learned from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Huckleberry Hound. That old western folk song of death and an inability to swim. “Oh My Darling, Clementine” is considered one of the most classic American folk songs. And it’s thanks to Mr. Hound, and his cartoonish yodeling number. Let’s dive into the meaning and the history of the song below.
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The (Two?) Writers
Most often, the song is credited to Iowa-born songwriter Percy Montross (or Montrose), dating back to 1884. Sometimes, though, Barker Bradford, who also published a version in 1885, is credited. Even other times, both men will be cited, since there isn’t clear evidence it was one or the other.
While there are several versions of the song, each revolves around the daughter of a miner during the time of the California Gold Rush, in the mid-1800s. That is Clementine, whose fate leads her to slip during chores and fall into the ocean, where she drowns. Her lover, the singer, cannot help her. He can’t swim.
The Beginnings
In 1863, the lyrics to the song “Down by the River Liv’d a Maiden,” were a precursor to “Oh My Darling, Clementine.” Some believe the melody for the song stems from a sad Spanish ballad love story, “Romance del Conde Olinos o Niño,” that was popularized by Mexican miners during the Gold Rush.
While it remains unknown when the first version of “Oh My Darling, Clementine” was recorded in English, the first to hit the charts was, of course, by Bing Crosby, the king of the charts in the ’40s. He recorded his version, just called “Clementine,” in 1941, which hit No. 20 on the Billboard charts.
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 sorrow, Clementine
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