《金发的珍妮》(Jeanie With The LIght Brown Hair) 是福斯特为妻子珍妮 (Jane McDowall)写的,曲调优美动听。实际上福斯特与珍妮的婚姻并不美满,他们结婚后曾分居,团圆,最终再分居。
珍妮是一位漂亮的金发女郎,对音乐没有特别的爱好,嫁给福斯特后,他们住在福斯特父母处。福斯特靠写歌为生,因此生活不富裕。1846年福斯特搬到辛辛那提投靠哥哥的公司。在那儿福斯特写一些歌,其中有《哦,苏珊娜》。在辛辛那提,福斯特发表了《福斯特埃塞俄比亚旋律》,其中的一首《Nelly是位夫人》(Nelly Was A Lady) 被一个叫做 Christy Minstrels 歌舞团唱红了。
I dream of Jeannie 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. I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair Floating like a vapor on the soft, summer air.
I sigh for Jeannie, but her light form strayed Far from the fond parts 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 flow'rs may wither on the shore, While her gentle fingers will cull them no more; I dream of Jeannie with the light brown hair Floating like a vapor on the soft, summer air.