My name is Keiko Wells. I teach American literature in Japan. I am preparing an article which introduces Gold Rush and Gold Rush songs to Japanese people. I asked Barre Toelken if "Clementine" is a gold rush song and where I can find information about the song. He kindly collected information by the e-mail system and forwarded the answers to me. Reading the answers, I learned that the song was first published under the title "Down by the River Lived a Maiden" credited to H. S. Thompson.
My new question is where I can find the text of "Down by the River Lived a Maiden" published in 1863.
I am told that "Clementine" is meant to be funny by illustrating the stereotype of the gold miner; however, I cannot exactly understand the humor. Is it funny because the miner was silly enough to take his daughter to the mining camp and lost her by the accident and soon later his own life as well?
Why is this song so well known and loved in America? It is imported to Japan with completely different lyrics (not the translation of "Clementine").
A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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WELLS Keiko
京都市北区等持院北町56
立命館大学文学部
075-466-3255(直通)
ex: 3959
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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