One of the most beloved parlor songs of the 19th century, I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair was written by American songwriter Stephen Foster in 1854. Known for its tender melody and nostalgic longing, the song has endured for generations as a cornerstone of early American popular music. In this performance, Jason Paul brings a modern yet unschooled, folk-inspired voice to the timeless classic – bridging the gap between the parlor traditions of Foster’s day and today’s listeners. Recorded as part of his ongoing project to keep great public domain songs alive, Jason interprets these works not as a jazz musician, but as a living performer finding his own path into the American Songbook. Follow Jason Paul for more standards, folk songs, and timeless melodies brought back to life. @iamjasonpaul http://jasonpaul.net #IDreamOfJeanie #StephenFoster #AmericanSongbook #JasonPaul #VintageMusic #PublicDomain
Jason Paul · The song collection1854
I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair
The performance
1 recordingYouTube Short 1
I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair [1854] – Stephen Foster
August 17, 2025
Lyrics and chords
Words and music by Stephen Foster
Verse 1
D7I Gdream of CJeanie with the Glight brown Ghair. EmBorne like a Gvapor Gon the A7summer Dair.
D7I Gsee her Ctripping where the Gbright streams Gplay A7happy as the Ddai- Emsies that Bmdance A7on her Dway.
DMany were the Dwild notes her Gmerry voice would Gpour. EmMany were the Gblithe birds that Emwar- A7bled them D7o'er.
D7I Gdream of CJeanie with the Glight brown Ghair Gfloating Emlike a Gvapor A7on the Gsoft D7summer Gair.
Verse 2
D7I Glong for CJeanie with the Gday dawn Gsmile. EmRadiant in Ggladness Gwarm with A7winning Dguile.
D7I Ghear her Cmelodies like Gjoys gone Gby, A7signing round my Dheart Emo'er the Bmfond A7hopes that Ddie.
DSighing like the Dnight wind and Gsobbing like the Grain. EmWailing for the Glost ones that Emcome A7not a- D7gain.
D7I Glong for CJeanie and my Gheart bows Glow, Gnever Emmore to Gfind her A7where the Gbright D7waters Gflow.
Verse 3
D7I G sigh for C Jeanie but her G light form G strayed Em far from the G fond hearts G round her A7 native D glade.
D7Her G smiles have C vanished and her G sweet songs G flown A7 flitting like the D dreams Em that have Bm cheered A7 us and D gone.
D Now the nodding D wild flowers may G wither on the G shore Em while her gentle G fingers will Em cull A7them no D7 more.
D7I Gsighx for C Jeanie with the G light brown G hair G floating Emlike a G vapor A7 on the G soft D7 summer G air.