Goodnight
Ted Lewis And His Orchestra Lyrics

The song "Goodnight, Irene" by Ted Lewis And His Orchestra is a classic tune filled with emotion and depth. The song begins with the repetition of the name Irene and the phrase "goodnight," setting the somber tone of the piece. It's said to be taking place after a break-up, as the singer mentions how he's going to "take another stroll in town" after being parted from his wife. The repetition of the name Irene in the lyrics can be taken as a reference to the loneliness and longing the singer is feeling - as if he's calling out her name in the wind, hoping she'll come back.

The following stanza contrasts the singer's state of mind, as he talks about how he sometimes lives in the city and other times in the country. The lyric "sometimes I have a great notion to jump in the river and drown" is a dark one, indicating a state of despair and hopelessness. The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, signaling the end of the night and the singer's yearning to be reunited with Irene in his dreams.

Overall, the song captures the tumultuous emotions of heartbreak and loss, as well as the universal human desire to escape it all and start anew.