Francais | English | Espanõl

Goodnight, Irene

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Goodnight Irene)
Jump to: navigation, search

"Goodnight Irene," or "Irene," is a 20th century American folk standard. Some sources, including blues scholar Paul Oliver, claim the version popularized by Lead Belly in the 1940s is based on the 1886 pop song by Gussie L. Davis. Lead Belly himself said he had learned it from his uncle. It was a US #1 hit for folk group The Weavers in 1950.

It has since been recorded by a number of artists, in pop, country, folk and rock styles (see list below). In 2002, Lead Belly's 1936 Library of Congress recording received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

In England, it is associated with the Bristol Rovers football team.

Contents

[edit] 1950: the hits

The Weavers' version was recorded in New York City on May 26, 1950 for Decca Records as catalog number 27077. A contemporary version of the song by Frank Sinatra was issued by Columbia Records as catalog number 38892. On the Cash Box chart, where all available versions were combined in the standings, the song reached a peak position of #1 on September 2, 1950, and lasted at #1 for 10 weeks.

It was also a #1 record (3 weeks) for Ernest Tubb & Red Foley (1950) on Decca records with The Sunshine Trio (backing vocals).

Preceded by:
Mona Lisa 		Cash Box magazine best selling record chart
#1 record
September 2, 1950–November 4, 1950 		Succeeded by:
Harbor Lights

[edit] Lyrics

Lead Belly's version

  • Irene, goodnight, Irene, goodnight,
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene,
I'll get you in my dreams
  • I asked your mother for you
(What'd she tell him?)
She told me that you was too young
(She's 18 years old)
I wish the lord that I'd never seen your face
I'm sorry you ever was born
(It broke his heart!)
  • Irene, goodnight, Irene, goodnight,
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene,
I'll get you in my dreams
  • Sometimes I live in the country,
Sometimes I live in town,
Sometimes I have a great notion;
Jumpin' in into the river and drown
  • Irene, goodnight, Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
  • Stop ramblin', and stop gamblin',
Quit stayin' out late at night
(What are ya gonna do?)
Go home to your wife and your family
(Where you oughta be,)
And sit down out by the fireside bright
(And people come at night)
  • Irene, goodnight, Irene, goodnight,
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene,
I'll get you in my dreams
  • I love Irene, god knows I do
(Too late)
Love her until the sea run dry
If Irene turns her back on me
(Whatcha gonna do?)
I'm gonna take a morphine and die
(She said, "go ahead and kill yourself then!")
  • Irene, goodnight, Irene, goodnight,
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene,
I'll get you in my dreams

The Weavers' Version

  • The very last words that I heard her say,
Was "please sing me one more song"
  • Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight,
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 and my wife are parted
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
  • Stop rambling, stop your rambling,
Stop staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and family
Stay there by your fireside bright
  • I love Irene God knows I do
Love her till the seas run dry
And if irene turns her back on me,
I'll take morphine and die

[edit] Selected list of recorded versions


[edit] See also

[edit] External links


[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://en.wikivisual.com/index.php/Goodnight%2C_Irene"
Personal tools