Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair
Sam Cooke Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair
Borne like a vapor, on the summer′s 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, warbled them o'er
I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair
Floating, like a vapor on the soft summer air

I long for Jeanie with the day dawn smile
Radiant in gladness, warm winning guile
I hear her melodies, like joys gone by
Sighing ′round my heart o'er the fond hopes that die
Sighing like the night wind and sobbing like the rain
Wailing for the lost one that comes, comes not again




I long for Jeanie and my heart bows low
Nevermore to find her where the bright waters flow

Overall Meaning

"Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair" is a beautiful and melancholic song by Sam Cooke that speaks of longing and lost love. The singer dreams of Jeanie, a woman with light brown hair who seems to embody purity and happiness. She is imagined as a fleeting presence, like a vapor carried by the summer air, gracefully tripping alongside bright streams. Jeanie's joyful spirit is compared to the dancing daisies, symbolizing innocence and carefree nature.


The second stanza reveals that Jeanie's voice and songs were filled with wild and merry notes, captivating the singer. The imagery of blithe birds warbling her tunes further emphasizes Jeanie's enchanting presence. However, the dream-like narrative continues, highlighting the singer's yearning for Jeanie's dawn smile that could brighten any day. Her melodies evoke memories of past joys, creating a bittersweet feeling as they echo in the singer's heart, emphasizing the loss and disappointment experienced.


In the final stanza, the singer compares Jeanie's sighing melodies to the night wind and rain, suggesting the depth of sorrow and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of Jeanie as a lost love, someone who cannot be found again even in the bright waters that flow. The heart of the singer bows low in longing for Jeanie, acknowledging that they may never reunite and their hopes for a future together have faded away.


Overall, "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair" explores the theme of unrequited love and the lingering pain of lost relationships. It beautifully captures the nostalgic longing and the profound sadness that can be felt when someone we cherished deeply becomes a distant memory.


Line by Line Meaning

I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair
I frequently fantasize about Jeanie, who possesses beautiful, light brown hair


Borne like a vapor, on the summer's air
Her presence feels ethereal, as if carried by the breeze of a warm summer day


I see her tripping where the bright streams play
I envision her gracefully moving near the vibrant streams, enjoying their playful nature


Happy as the daisies that dance on her way
She exudes pure joy and happiness, just like the daisies that whimsically sway along her path


Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour
Her cheerful voice would fill the air with numerous lively and unrestrained melodies


Many were the blithe birds that warbled, warbled them o'er
Countless blissful birds would sing along with her, repeating and echoing the delightful tunes


Floating, like a vapor on the soft summer air
She seems to glide gently and weightlessly, resembling a mist that drifts through the serene summer atmosphere


I long for Jeanie with the day dawn smile
I yearn for Jeanie, who possesses a radiant smile reminiscent of the early morning sunrise


Radiant in gladness, warm winning guile
She shines with happiness, emanating a genuine charm and captivating allure


I hear her melodies, like joys gone by
I can almost hear her melodies, evoking nostalgic memories of past joys


Sighing 'round my heart o'er the fond hopes that die
My heart feels heavy with longing and sorrow for the cherished hopes that have faded away


Sighing like the night wind and sobbing like the rain
The depth of my longing is comparable to the melancholic sighs of the night wind and the sorrowful sobs of the rain


Wailing for the lost one that comes, comes not again
I mourn the absence of the one I have lost, knowing they will never return


I long for Jeanie and my heart bows low
My desire for Jeanie is profound, causing my heart to humble itself


Nevermore to find her where the bright waters flow
I have accepted that I will never again discover her presence in the places where the lively waters flow




Writer(s): Sam Cooke

Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Phil David


on Goin' Home

The lyric is not “Nothing loss of days...”
It is “Nothing’s lost, all is gain...”
You will notice this actually supports the rhyme.

More Versions