Balm

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