Stephen Foster - Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair

♫ · ♫ · ♫

Stephen Foster (1826-1864)

Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair (1854)

Jan DeGaetani, mezzo-soprano
Gilbert Kalish, piano

recorded on period instruments at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

♫ · ♫ · ♫

[rzkna]

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 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.

[agogdata]

liked it back in 1840 and still listening to it in 2230

[hojeong]

I am 1st generation of Asian immigrant and I learned this song at the age of 13-14 in Korea and have red some books about Foster after coming to USA. Pleas you Americans love your great song writers, especially learn how Foster is great enough to respect from generation to generation

[Justin-wzpr]

One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs out there. Stephen Foster was a musical genius. His songs not only defined their era, they define our nation. His title as the father of American music is very well deserved.

[slkoay]

My secondary school music teacher used to make us sing this song in the 1980's. RIP, Mrs Peh.

[anniejaye]

the song is very nostalgic as i feel that i really feel the sorrow and i already live a century ago. Salute Stephen Collins Foster!

[virginiachapmanPenetti]

RIP Jean Wilkinson 3/20/35-5/7/2013
My mother. A true patrician lady of older times. Your little only child misses you. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

[ErwinMarkPH]

I've been repeating this for almost 20x a I am really addicted to this song, I feel relaxed and feel the magnificent era that this song was made.. The melody, lyrics and the singer are so perfect that i can't resist myself to listen to it again and again. Some musics nowadays are so rubbish.

[mr.lamberghini]

Wow, I'm so glad that this one image was uploaded in 1080p!

[CrownHeights]

So beautiful I’m crying and can’t stop listening

[lysannnobst]

Eines der schönsten Songs die es gibt, voller Zärtlicher ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[foxvienna]

Wonderful lyrics for sure in this old melody!

[Midnightblue]

Any of you noticed how Stephen's eyes look soulful and sad in that portrait? Man, even those eyes can't even fully depict how miserable the life he had.

America, please honor that man. He is your hero.

[dghghg]

Always finding music of high scale, Marvelous song!!!

[geraldlewis]

Is there a more tragic figure in American music history? Foster was born on the 4th of July, and became literally our first professional songwriter. He is the only memorable American musician of any type from the first 100 years of our nation's history, and now, 170 years after his first hit--"Oh Susannah"--his melodies are maybe the world's best known....But he died alone and broke and largely forgotten, in a freak accident in New York City at the age of 37. If there is a heaven, Stephen Foster is smiling sadly down on us all.

[AmmoniteDragon]

This is the first song that ever made me cry

[두근두근테니슈]

language doesnt matter. I love fosters song deeply in my heart. Always makes me tears. My true legend. I was born In korea 1994

[FaeI]

That was the first piano touch in my life. Hug from Brazil

[altdmusic]

Such a beautiful composition. I love this.

[kzdr]

This song is extremely sad. Especially knowing Stephen died at a very young age. He loved Jeanie so much. At least the Japanese animation could deliver some sort of alternate universe where Jeanie and Stephen could live a happy life. That anime was so good.