Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair (1854)
Words and Music: Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864)
Jeanie with the light brown hair is a sweet, pastoral, ode of love most likely written for Foster’s wife Jane. A flowing melody and simple accompaniment augment the American essence of this song: melodic and harmonic usage foreshadow the easily recognizable compositions of another great American composer - Aaron Copland. The music seems to be the sound of the American country frontier. Did you notice that Foster wrote both the music and the words?
Stephen Collins Foster, the “father of American music”, composed many songs that are etched into the musical memory of every American, as they are heard everywhere. Songs like Oh Susanna, Camptown Races, and My Old Kentucky Home. Foster wrote close to 200 songs. Sadly, he died tragically early at the age of 37. Who knows what more masterful output we would have today had he lived a long life! The purity of his compositional style is unmistakable and legendary indeed.
Words and Music: Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864)
Jeanie with the light brown hair is a sweet, pastoral, ode of love most likely written for Foster’s wife Jane. A flowing melody and simple accompaniment augment the American essence of this song: melodic and harmonic usage foreshadow the easily recognizable compositions of another great American composer - Aaron Copland. The music seems to be the sound of the American country frontier. Did you notice that Foster wrote both the music and the words?
Stephen Collins Foster, the “father of American music”, composed many songs that are etched into the musical memory of every American, as they are heard everywhere. Songs like Oh Susanna, Camptown Races, and My Old Kentucky Home. Foster wrote close to 200 songs. Sadly, he died tragically early at the age of 37. Who knows what more masterful output we would have today had he lived a long life! The purity of his compositional style is unmistakable and legendary indeed.
Key of F Major
Range : Octave plus 4th : C up to F
|
Sample MP3, Piano & Melody,
|
Sample MP3, Piano Only,
|
|
F Major Sheet Music Sample |
|
Key of E Flat Major
Range : Octave plus 4th : Bb up to Eb
|
Sample MP3, Piano & Melody
|
Sample MP3, Piano Only,
|
|
Eb Major Sheet Music Sample |
|
Key of D Flat Major
Range : Octave plus 4th : Ab up to Db
|
Sample MP3, Piano & Melody
|
Sample MP3, Piano Only,
|
|
Db Major Sheet Music Sample |
|
