Peter, Paul and Mary

Goodnight Irene

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Goodnight Irene Lyrics

Chorus:
Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Well last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Well now me and my wife are 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 your rambling, why don't you stop your gambling
Well stop your staying out so late at night
Go home to your wife and family
Stay there by the fireside bright

(chorus)
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Submitted by

songmeanings On Feb 06, 2012

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Mellow_Harsher

2018-11-13 19:21:55

SongMeanings

Submitter

2012-02-06 15:48:31

1 Meaning

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by justanothergurl

14y ago

From Wikipedia: "Goodnight, Irene" or "Irene, Goodnight," is a 20th century American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded by American blues musician Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in 1932." If you have not had the pleasure of hearing Ledbetter sing, look him up on Youtube. You won't be disappointed. The song's about a man who got married but then spent all his time "downtown" with music; gambling; other women; etc. Now he can only dream about sweet Irene. In the last part he's giving advice to other men so they don't end up with an Irene in their dreams rather than in the flesh (in their beds:)

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