Listen to Stephen Foster's Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair
Channel: East Rock Films
Date: 26/09/2023

Visit our website to view all our films and music: http://www.EastRockFilms.com

This piece is from our latest film on Edgar Allan Poe : 
Part One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=320UwitHpsc&ab_channel=EastRockFilms
Part Two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wQgzhXW5bY&ab_channel=EastRockFilms.

Stephen Foster, considered the "Father of American Music," wrote this beautiful work in 1854. He had separated from his wife Jane and Foster greatly missed her company. In this song, he remembers the wonderful times they shared together and how he longs to reunite with her.

Music and lyrics: Stephen Foster
Piano performance: Jacob Koskimaki

We encourage you to use this recording for any project!

Lyrics: 

I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Borne, like a vapor on the summer air;
I see her tripping where the bright streams play,
Happy as the daisies that dance on her way.
Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour.
Many were the blithe birds that warbled them o'er:
Oh, I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air.

I long for Jeanie with a day-dawn smile,
Radiant in gladness, warm with winning guile;
I hear her melodies, like joys gone by,
Sighing round my heart over the fond hopes that die:—
Sighing like the night wind and sobbing like the rain,—
Wailing for the lost one that comes not again:
Oh, I long for Jeanie, and my heart bows low,
Never more to find her where the bright waters flow.

I sigh for Jeanie, but her light form strayed
Far from the fond hearts round her native glade;
Her smiles have vanished and her sweet songs flown,
Flitting like the dreams that have cheered us and gone.
Now the nodding wild flowers may wither on the shore
While her gentle fingers will cull them no more:
Oh, I sigh for Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air.