Goodnight Irene
Chris Barber/Lonnie Donegan/Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and my wife settled down
But me and my wife have parted
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
Irene goodnight (goodnight Irene)
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Stop your ramblin'
Stop your gamblin'
Stop stayin' out late, late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Sit down by your fireside so bright
Irene goodnight (Irene)
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I love Irene and I swear I do (yes)
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
Still the sea runs dry
And if Irene ever turns her back on me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
Irene goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
The song "Goodnight Irene" is a typical folk song that tells a story of a man who recently got married but has already parted ways with his wife. He's going for a walk downtown, and as he walks, he sings the chorus "Goodnight Irene" - a kind of plea to Irene to let him go. He asks himself, "why do you keep rambling, stay out late at night, and gamble?" He knows he needs to stop his ways, go home, sit by the fireside, and be with his wife and family.
As the song progresses, we learn that the singer loves Irene very much, but if she ever turns her back on him, he would rather take morphine and die. The song ends with yet another plea to Irene, to have a goodnight, and go to sleep. The overarching theme of the song is that of regret and loss, and the singer's acknowledgment that he messed up his life by choosing to leave his wife.
Line by Line Meaning
Last Saturday night I got married
I got married last Saturday night
Me and my wife settled down
My wife and I started living together
But me and my wife have parted
My wife and I have separated
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
I'm going to go out again
Irene goodnight (goodnight Irene)
Irene, I'm saying Goodnight to you
Irene goodnight
Irene, Goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Goodnight to you, Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
Stop your ramblin'
Stop wandering around
Stop your gamblin'
Stop gambling
Stop stayin' out late, late at night
Stop staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Go back to your wife and family
Sit down by your fireside so bright
Sit by your bright fireside
Irene goodnight (Irene)
Irene, Goodnight
Irene goodnight
Irene, Goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Goodnight to you, Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
I love Irene and I swear I do (yes)
Yes, I swear I love Irene
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I love her so much
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I really love her
Still the sea runs dry
I'll always love her
And if Irene ever turns her back on me
If Irene ever leaves me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
I'll take morphine and die
Irene goodnight
Irene, Goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight, Goodnight, Goodnight
Irene goodnight
Irene, Goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Goodnight to you, Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mara Karetsos
Wonderful
🎼🎸⭐️
Peter Piper
Love this song. Van & Jerry Lee Lewis do a great version too...Thanks Wooly...
Woolhall
Yes PP , Jerry L adds some brilliant piano on that version , great piece of film
Barbara Adams
I'm enjoying watching these videos, they are great. Thank you. ✨ 🌠 🌌
mario7frankielee
an old time favorite
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
nissi
Thanks A ! Some cool harmonies in this one !✨🤍✨
targarosko
a great happiness this morning with the great Van ....." i'm gonna take my coffee and live " not morphine now !!!!!!i wish you a great day if you are always in Honfleur good sun dear Woolhy ♥♥♥
Steve Duncan
Why can't I find the Lonnie Donegan version??
Bar None
Is this a rehearsal?
Richard Bishop
Ur style u must been thinking about Irene!!!!