Goodnight Irene
Jerry Lee Lewis & Van Morrison Lyrics
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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 classic American folk song that has been recorded and covered by numerous artists throughout the years. Jerry Lee Lewis and Van Morrison's version of the song is a high-energy rock n' roll rendition that captures the spirit and emotion of the original.
The lyrics hint at the troubles in the singer's personal life. The first verse talks about getting married and settling down but later reveals that the marriage failed and the singer is looking to take another stroll downtown. The chorus featuring the repeated phrase "Irene goodnight" is a plea or perhaps a farewell to a lost love. The singer urges Irene to stop her rambling and gambling and to return home to her family. The final verse expresses a deep love for Irene and a willingness to die if she ever turns her back on him.
The song speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the struggles of personal relationships, which is perhaps why it has stood the test of time and continues to be performed and recorded to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Last Saturday night I got married
I got married on the 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 now
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
I plan to go out for a walk in the downtown area
Irene goodnight (goodnight Irene)
Goodnight Irene
Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Wishing Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
Stop your ramblin'
Stop wandering aimlessly
Stop your gamblin'
Stop gambling
Stop stayin' out late, late at night
Don't stay out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Go back home to your family and wife
Sit down by your fireside so bright
Relax by the bright fireside
Irene goodnight (Irene)
Saying Goodnight Irene
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
I love Irene and I swear I do (yes)
I truly love Irene
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I love her very much
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I love her deeply
Still the sea runs dry
My love for her will last forever
And if Irene ever turns her back on me
If Irene leaves me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
I'll take morphine and die
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Saying Goodnight repeatedly
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Wishing Goodnight to Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll see you in my dreams
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Huddie Ledbetter, John Lomax
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind