Goodnight Irene
Phelps Kelly Joe Lyrics

The lyrics of the song "Goodnight Irene" by Phelps Kelly Joe portray different aspects of the singer's life. He sometimes lives in the country and sometimes in town, which shows that he is a wandering soul who cannot settle in one place for long. He expresses his desire to jump in the river and drown, which may indicate his difficulty in finding a purpose or meaning in life.

The next stanza talks about how the singer advises others to change their ways and become more responsible by quitting their gambling habits and staying at home with their families. This suggests that the singer may have learned some lessons in life and is passing on his wisdom to others. The chorus of the song, "Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight, I will see you in my dreams," serves as a refrain that keeps recurring, indicating that the singer has someone he loves dearly and is thinking about her.

The third stanza talks about the singer's unsuccessful attempt to win over Irene's mother, who thinks he is too young for her daughter. However, the singer still loves Irene and wishes that he had never seen her face, which could suggest that he is unable to be with her for some reason. The final stanza talks about the depth of the singer's love for Irene, which he says will last until the sea runs dry. He even goes as far as to say that he might take morphine and die if he cannot be with her, which shows the intensity of his emotions towards her.

Overall, the lyrics of "Goodnight Irene" portray a complex portrayal of the singer's emotions and life experiences, including his feelings of love, regret, and despair.