Clementine
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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(Oh my darling Clementine)
She knew that Cody was the man she wanted but she had waited nearly all her life
Just one more trip to town to tell the boys goodbye
Then he'd be back to take her for his wife (don't you worry) Clementine
Cody saddled up and left his darling then rode to town to celebrate his plan
He told 'em this would be his last carousing

I'm gonna settle down boys if I can (with my darling) Clementine
Someone said it must have been past midnight when Cody had to face a jealous man
Another story goes that no one really knows
But it seems there was a dancehall girl called Nan (don't you tell) Clementine
We do know that the shot or two was heard from some back room
Then there was a silence in the place

Just one more trip to town but all his chips were down
They found Cody lying on his face (softly calling) Clementine
So buddies make a monument to lay down at his head
Sure you hate to leave your pal behind





Mother help your daughter put her wedding dress away
Cause Cody won't be riding back this time (to his darling) Clementine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Cash's song Clementine tell the tragic story of Cody and his love interest, Clementine. Clementine knew that Cody was the man she wanted to spend her life with, but she had waited patiently for him to return and take her as his wife. Cody had promised to return after one more trip to town to say goodbye to his friends and settle down with Clementine.


However, things did not go as planned. While in town, Cody got into an altercation with a jealous man, and there was a gunshot. The details are murky, but it seems that a dancehall girl called Nan was involved. When Cody did not return, Clementine and his friends went looking for him, only to find him dead with a gunshot wound.


The song is a poignant reminder of how love and life can be cut short by tragedy. Clementine must now put away her wedding dress and mourn the loss of her beloved Cody. The song conveys a sense of sadness and regret, but also celebrates the enduring power of love.


Line by Line Meaning

(Oh my darling Clementine)
Introduces the song and mentions Clementine, who is the main character.


She knew that Cody was the man she wanted but she had waited nearly all her life
Clementine had been waiting for a long time to be with Cody and knew that he was the man she wanted.


Just one more trip to town to tell the boys goodbye
Cody had to make one last trip to town to say goodbye to his friends.


Then he'd be back to take her for his wife (don't you worry) Clementine
Cody promised Clementine that he would be back to marry her and she should not worry.


Cody saddled up and left his darling then rode to town to celebrate his plan
Cody left Clementine and went to town to celebrate his upcoming marriage to her.


He told 'em this would be his last carousing
Cody informed his friends that he was done with his wild lifestyle and would settle down with Clementine.


I'm gonna settle down boys if I can (with my darling) Clementine
Cody was determined to settle down with Clementine and leave his partying days behind.


Someone said it must have been past midnight when Cody had to face a jealous man
Cody got into an altercation with a man who was jealous of his relationship with a woman.


Another story goes that no one really knows
There are conflicting stories about what happened to Cody.


But it seems there was a dancehall girl called Nan (don't you tell) Clementine
One of the stories suggests that a woman named Nan was involved in Cody's death and that Clementine should not be told about it.


We do know that the shot or two was heard from some back room
Gunshots were heard coming from a back room during the altercation.


Then there was a silence in the place
After the gunshots, the place became silent.


Just one more trip to town but all his chips were down
Cody's luck had run out and he was not able to come back to Clementine.


They found Cody lying on his face (softly calling) Clementine
Cody was found dead, calling out for Clementine as he passed away.


So buddies make a monument to lay down at his head
Cody's friends were asked to create a monument in his memory to be placed at his grave.


Sure you hate to leave your pal behind
Cody's friends were sad to leave him behind but would honor his memory.


Mother help your daughter put her wedding dress away
Clementine would not be getting married to Cody and her mother had to help her put away her wedding dress.


Cause Cody won't be riding back this time (to his darling) Clementine
Cody's death meant that he would not be able to return to Clementine and marry her.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY MIZE, BUDDY MIZE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home

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