Clementine

Westlife · Allow Us To Be Frank [2004]

In a cavern down by a canyon

Excavatin' for a mine,

There lived a miner from North Carolina

And his daughter, chubby Clementine.



Now every mornin', just about dawnin'

A'when the sun begins to shine

You know she would rouse up, wake all a dem cows up

And walk 'em down to her Daddy's mine.



A'took the foot bridge, way 'cross the water

Though she weighed two-ninety nine.

The old bridge trembled and disassembled

(Oops!) dumped her into the foamy brine



Hey, crackle like thunder, (ho, ho) she went under

(ho, ho) blowin bubbles (bubble sound) down the line.

Hey, I'm no swimm'a but were she slimm'a

I might'a saved that Clementine.



(Ho) broke the record, way under water

I thought that she was doin' fine.

I wasn't nervous ya until the service

That they held for Clementine.



Hey you sailor (ho, ho) way out in your whaler

With a harpoon, your trusty line.

If she shows now, yo, there she blows now,

It just may be chunky Clementine.



(One more time)

Oh my darlin', oh my darlin', oh my darlin'

Oh my darlin' , oh my darlin' sweet Clementine,

You may be gone

But!

You're not forgotten,

Fare thee well

So long, Clementine

(Bubble sound) Bye!

About Clementine

"Clementine" by Westlife serves as a poignant centerpiece on their 2004 album *Allow Us To Be Frank*, marking a significant shift in the group's sound toward a more mature, acoustic-driven pop-rock style. Recorded during a pivotal era in their career, the track blends emotive vocals with a stripped-back arrangement that highlights the band's songwriting depth beyond their earlier radio-friendly hits. The song reflects the band's exploration of personal vulnerability and emotional resilience, themes that resonated deeply with their global fanbase. As part of their discography from the mid-2000s, "Clementine" stands out for its lyrical focus on navigating life's uncertainties, offering a reflective listening experience that complements the album's broader narrative of honesty and connection.