Earworm

 

Jenny Boyd

A song has being playing on my mental jukebox in recent days. I bought it as a single back in 1968. At the risk of transferring this earworm to your head I am nevertheless going to share "Jennifer Juniper" with you. Many visitors to "Yorkshire Pudding" will instantly recall that it was a minor hit for Donovan who I have blogged about before.

The song seems to convey some of the innocent, other worldliness of many songs of the hippy era and Donovan was often seen as the British  herald of that movement. It is said that "Jennifer Juniper" was inspired by Jenny Boyd, the sister of Patti Boyd who had loving relationships with both George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Jenny herself was once married to Mick Fleetwood  but she never had an intimate relationship with Donovan.

Here's Donovan performing the song on an American television show in 1968. It seems like ancient history now. Below the video, I have helpfully added the lyrics so that you can sing along

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