Leadbelly'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
