Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Down By the River 
Down By the River 
Down by the river there lived a maiden In a cottage built just seven by nine, And all around this lubly bower The beauteous sunflower blossoms twine. 
cho: Oh! my Clema Oh! my Clema! Oh! my darling Clementine, Now you are gone and lost forever, I'm drefful sorry, Clementine. 
Her lips were like two luscious beefsteaks Dipp'd in tomato sauce and brine, And like the cashmere goatess covering Was the fine wool of Clementine. 
Her foot, Oh Golly! 'Twas a beauty Her shoes were made of Digby pine, Two herring boxes without the tops on Just made the sandals of Clementine. 
One day de wind was blowing awful I took her down some old rye wine, And listened to de sweetest cooings Ob my sweet sunflower Clementine. 
De ducks had gone down to de riber, To drive dem back she did incline, She stubbed her toe and, Oh! Kersliver She fell into the foamy brine. 
I see'd her lips above de waters, A blowing bubbles bery fine, But 'twant no use, I want no swimmer And so I lost my Clementine. 
Now ebry night down by de riber Her ghostess walks bout half-past nine, I know it's her a kase I tracked her And by de smell 'tis Clementine. 
Now all young men by me take warning 
Don't gib your ladies too much rye wine, Kase like as not in dis wet wedder Dey'll share de fate ob Clementine. 
Published by Oliver Ditson, 1863 
note: This is the earliest version of Clementine I've been able to find. Note that there's no reference to mining nor 49ers. RG 
APR99