Jennifer Boyd
A song of innocence and a song that was very much of its time. It was 1968 and the singer who wrote "Jennifer Juniper" was Donovan Leitch. He was just twenty two years old that year and was soon to journey to The Himalayas with The Beatles in search of spiritual teaching and enlightenment. It is said that the muse for this song was Jenny Boyd, the sister of Pattie Boyd who wedded both George Harrison and Eric Clapton.
Nowadays, Donovan enjoys a quiet life deep in the Irish countryside - in County Cork. He is seventy nine years old. Not having listened to it for decades, I heard the song in question on the radio earlier this week and decided to share it with you because of its innocent and harmonious simplicity. Given what is happening in the world right now, I suspect we need more songs like this one - a kind of aural balm to ease the troubled mind...
Jennifer Juniper lives upon the hill
Jennifer Juniper, sitting very still
Is she sleeping? I don't think so
Is she breathing? Yes, very low
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
Jennifer Juniper, rides a dappled mare
Jennifer Juniper, lilacs in her hair
Is she dreaming? Yes, I think so
Is she pretty? Yes, ever so
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
I'm thinking of what it would be like if she loved me
You know just lately this happy song it came along
And I like to somehow try and tell you
Jennifer Juniper, hair of golden flax
Jennifer Juniper longs for what she lacks
Do you like her? Yes, I do, Sir
Would you love her? Yes, I would, Sir
Whatcha doing Jennifer, my love?
Jennifer Juniper, Jennifer Juniper, Jennifer Juniper.
Jennifer Juniper vit sur la colline
Jennifer Juniper assise très tranquille
Dort-elle? Je ne crois pas
Respire-t-elle? Oui, mais tout bas
Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Jenny mon amour?
Jennifer Juniper, Jennifer Juniper, Jennifer Juniper
I’m sorry I just don’t get it
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing to "get" John. It's just a simple, innocent song - that's all.
DeleteOh yes, I remember that song and Donovan very well! I didn't know who the muse for it was, though, so that was an interesting new bit of trivia.
ReplyDeleteI loved the gentleness of many of his songs and I believe that I saw him in concert four times.
DeleteI like Paul Simon - this post reminded me of a line from Fakin’ It…”Good morning Mr Leitch Have you had a busy day”
ReplyDeleteI also love Paul Simon's recorded songs - especially the pure, early phase of his career.
DeleteWell the song is calming but Ms. Boyd's eyes are killer! (that's a compliment)
ReplyDeleteCalm down Bruce! You are a married man!
DeleteI think I'd prefer All You Need Is Love as my balm.
ReplyDeleteI think "All You Need Is Love" had a political edge to it. You might describe it as an anti-war song.
DeleteDonovan was in the right place at the right time with his sweet harmonies and gentle songs. I always enjoyed his music.
ReplyDeleteThey called him the British Dylan but he was never anything like Bob Dylan. Much more laid back and arguably less angry.
DeleteI remember this being on the radio, but it was never a favourite of mine, listening to it now, I still don't like it. I always wondered why people went looking for spiritual enlightenment, weren't their lives already good enough?
ReplyDeleteYou are a hard woman to please Elsie!
DeleteFlower Power! Mellow Yellow was also good. Donovan must have gone to Swindon Art College in the 60s for a short time because Paul sold his sheepskin coat to him.
ReplyDeleteAnd then 'Feelin Groovy'... Hello lampost whatcha doin, come to see your flower's growin'
I am feeling groovy this morning - still in my dressing gown.
Delete1968 saw me being born in the last third of March. I didn‘t know the song or the people involved. The „very low breathing“ of Jennifer Juniper worries me a little.
ReplyDeleteYou often heard Donovan's breathing in his quieter songs, He was very popular in Germany around that time.
DeleteIt's the kind of song I remember hearing on the radio on a Sunday as a child in the 70s, my dad loves this kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteA flashback to many-many years ago.
ReplyDelete