Goodnight, Irene

(a.k.a. "Irene" & "Good Night, Irene")

Words & Music:

Huddie William "Leadbelly" Ledbetter & John Lomax

 

This was Leadbelly's signature song and, according to John & Alan Lomax, they delivered a petition for Leadbelly's release from Angola prison to Louisiana Governor O.K. Allen on the flip side of a recording of "Goodnight Irene".  Notice the vast difference in the storyline in Leadbelly's own versions and what the song has become.

 

1.  Leadbelly's original "Irene" version:

 

CHORUS:

G          D                 G

Irene, Goodnight. Irene, Goodnight.

                     C              D                     G

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I kiss [gets] you in my dreams.

 

Stop ramblin', stop gamblin', stop stayin' out late at night.

Go home to your wife and family; sit down by the fireside bright.

 

CHORUS:

 

You caused me to weep and you caused me to moan.

You caused me to leave my home.

Last words I heard her say, "I want you to sing this song."

 

CHORUS:

 

I love Irene, God knows I do; love her 'til the sea run dry.

And if Irene ever turns her back on me, I'm gonna take morphine and die.

 

CHORUS:

 

2.  Leadbelly's "asked for your hand" version:

 

Asked your mother for you, she told me that you was too young.

I wished to the Lord that I never seen your face.

I'm sorry you ever was born.

 

CHORUS:

G          D                 G

Irene, Goodnight. Irene, Goodnight.

                     C              D              G

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I gets you in my dreams.

 

Stop ramblin', stop gamblin', stop stayin' out late at night.

Go home to your wife and family; sit down by the fireside bright.

 

CHORUS:

 

Sometimes I lives in the country, sometimes I lives in town.

Sometimes I has a great notion to jump in the river & drown.

 

CHORUS:

 

Stop ramblin' & stop gamblin', quit stayin' out late at night.

Go home to your wife and family; sit down by the fireside bright.

 

CHORUS:

 

I love Irene, God knows I do; love her 'til the sea runs dry.

If Irene turns her back on me, I'm gonna take morphine & die.

 

[no final CHORUS - this version ends on the word "die"]

 

3.  Usual version  [pick & choose which verses you prefer]:

 

CHORUS:

G          D                 G

Irene, Goodnight. Irene, Goodnight.

                     C                 D             G

Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams.

 

Last Saturday night I got married; me and my wife settled down.

Now, me & my wife have parted; I'm gonna take another stroll downtown.

 

CHORUS:

 

Some folks, they like their sugar & some folks, they like their wine.

Some folks love their music and they sing it all the time.

 

CHORUS:

 

Stop ramblin', stop gamblin', stop stayin' out late at night.

Go home to your wife and family & stay by the fireside bright.

 

CHORUS:

 

Sometimes I live in the country, sometimes I live in town.

Sometimes I take a fool notion to jump in the river and drown.

 

CHORUS:

 

I love Irene, I swear I do; love her 'til the sea runs dry.

And if Irene ever turns her back on me, I'm gonna take morphine & die.

 

CHORUS: