Though many of his posthumous releases list him as "Leadbelly," he himself spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on most of his original records, tombstone, as well as of the Lead Belly Foundation.
Lead Belly was born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, and spent time in and out of prison most of his life. In 1933, serving a sentence for attempted murder, musicologists John and Alan Lomax "discovered" him on a field recording tour sponsored by the Library of Congress. That summer, he was pardoned by the governor of Lousiana after recording his plea for pardon on a record, together with "Good Night Irene". Lead Belly went on to make hundreds of recordings of all sorts of different songs: country, blues, spirituals, reels, and work chants.
His songs have been covered by Mark Lanegan, The Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Nirvana, Lonnie Donegan, Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, British Sea Power, Ram Jam, Ry Cooder, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Half Man Half Biscuit, Tom Waits and The White Stripes.
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Biography: Lead Belly Biography
BIO Biography: Lead Belly Biography
Lead Belly Foundation: Lead Belly Foundation.org
Lead Belly is also on Last.fm as Leadbelly
Irene
Lead Belly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
I guess you're in my dreams
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I have a great notion
Jumpin' in the river and drown
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
I guess you're in my dreams
Stop rambling and stop gambling
Quit staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and family
Sit by the fireside right
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
Lead Belly's Irene is a song that portrays heartbreak and sorrow. Right from the beginning, when he repeats, "Irene, good night", the tone is already somber. The use of the words "good night" is an indication that the singer might never see Irene again because he could be leaving, or it could be the final farewell between him and the person he's singing to. He emphasizes this by repeating "good night, Irene" twice, with a pause between the two phrases that makes the second one sound even more solemn.
In the second verse, he talks about the turmoil he is experiencing by living in two different environments. It is evident that he is restless and uncertain, and he is looking for an escape. He mentions "jumping in the river and drown," which could be a metaphor for drowning his sorrows. In the third verse, he advises himself to quit gambling and return to his family to sit beside the fire. This shows that the singer has lost his way, and he recognizes this.
Overall, Lead Belly's Irene is a brilliant example of folk music that tells a story about heartbreak, loss, and redemption. The repetition of the phrase "good night, Irene" reinforces the sense of regret and finality, and the lyrics tell a story of how one can lose their way in life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
A parting greeting to Irene, ending your conversation or time spent together
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
Repeating the goodbye to make it sound more sincere or heartfelt
I guess you're in my dreams
The idea of Irene is still on the mind and will probably influence tonight's dreams
Sometimes I live in the country
Occasionally, I spend time in rural areas, away from the city.
Sometimes I live in town
On other occasions, I reside in urban areas, surrounded by people and buildings.
Sometimes I have a great notion
There are times when I develop a crazy or impulsive idea.
Jumpin' in the river and drown
The idea is so unrealistic that even the consequences of drowning don't dissuade me
Stop rambling and stop gambling
Cease wandering aimlessly or committing random acts of chance and risk
Quit staying out late at night
Don't stay up until the wee hours, neglecting sleep and responsibility.
Go home to your wife and family
Return to your spouse and immediate relatives, who depend on you and miss your presence.
Sit by the fireside right
Relax close to the fireplace, in a peaceful and intimate atmosphere.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Huddie Ledbetter, John Lomax
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bellegazelle
Goodnight Irene
Eric Clapton
At Saturday night I got married
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
I'll get you in my dream
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 goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I love Irene and got new I do
Still the sea runs dry
And if Irene ever turns her back on me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Huddie Ledbetter / John A. Lomax
W.L. Graves
i've been enjoying huddie ledbetter's tremendous music ,
and performing his songs
for over 50 years , first time i've seen this video ..
thank you for posting this rare footage !
but .. jeez .. here he is having to play an instrument that looks like it is made out of tape and cardboard .. somehow he is still able to get a decent sound out of it !
unfathomable and unforgivable for lomax not to get him a guitar of some
kind for him to perform on .$5.00 - $10.00 would have taken care of it nicely !.
or borrow one for free for a day ...
i have high regard for alan lomax .. but c'mon .. what was he thinking here ?
lomax had plenty of time , and the means to ensure he had something decent for him to play at his home , especially since he set everything up to record him !
it goes to show huddie was a true survivor , and could excel in any setting !
-long live leadbelly ! and a large tip of the hat to pete seeger too .
_itsme_
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
Good night, Irene, good night, 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
To jump in to the river and drown
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
Stop rambling and stop gambling
Quit staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Sit down by a fireside bright
Irene, good night, Irene, good night
Good night, Irene, good night, Irene
Alvin Singh
I am the great nephew of Huddie Ledbetter and the family loves this footage. Its uncut and shows that just days AFTER Lead Belly got married he filmed this footage. As for the Lomax, well there are plenty of books and articles about their controversial relationship being racist, but I look at it as the sign of the times. Both men were making history in their own way. Lead Belly had long friendship with Alan Lomax. Whats interesting is the guitar. That is NOT the infamous Stella that is in the Rock & Roll hall of fame museum in Cleveland.
King Rose Archives
Thank you for sharing your insights with us.
BluesInMySoul
Even in those times there were black men who would not have taken that crap
IamDottieDandridge
are you really his great nephew?
Javier
You gotta be proud of being Lead Belly's great nephew, cheers!
Ngoma Bishop
How much crap you take or don't take depends on a number of things. To my knowledge he was not generally inclined to take crap from anyone but your previous experiences, the current situation and your agenda can dictate if, when and to what extent you 'take crap'.
John McClane
Leadbelly literally is like a great grandfather to modern rock n roll
matthew velasquez
The first song my mom sang to me as a child. That is 70 years ago. May she rest in peace, great lady who she was.
danxp
Rest in peace..
Guilty Deeds
Rest in peace