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:)
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:)