I Dream of Jeanie
Nov 18th, 2008 by oldfogey
Stephen Foster’s classic song, beautifully sung by Stuart Burrows.
“I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair floating like a zephyr on the soft summer air.”
A zephyr is a dragonfly, as we call it in England, which hovers and flickers over the flowers it searches for. You can think of her hair, new clean and clear, caught by a breath of wind, catching the light and hovering before it settles back, gently on her neck - like the dragonfly onto the flower.
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I respond belatedly yet again, but wanted to thank you for posting this. It’s such a beautiful song. This version is a little robust, but still affecting. I wondered if you’re familiar with the version by Jussi Bjorling? His voice is full of quiet longing and, I think, is particularly in keeping with the ethereal quality of the song. Thanks again.
pogperson - Thank you for this. I love Jussi Bjorling. I don’t know his version of this song, though I can imagine it. His voice had a softer edge than Burrows. Is his English idiomatic? In some other English songs I’ve heard it wasn’t, quite. Best wishes OF
His English, on this recording, is quite good with the forgivable exception of the word ‘vapor’ with which he makes a manly effort. The arrangement is a bit lushly cinematic but subservient to his beautiful voice and delivery. I’d upload it for you but my copy is on vinyl and I don’t have the means to make an mp3 of it.
pogperson - many of my favourite recordings are still on vinyl too. OF