Goodnight Irene
Van Morrison Lonnie Donegan Chris Barber 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
In Van Morrison's song "Goodnight Irene," the singer begins by stating that he recently got married but has since separated from his wife. He then decides to take a walk downtown, singing the classic folk song "Goodnight Irene" to himself. The song's chorus emphasizes the importance of settling down and being faithful to one's partner, urging the listener to stop gambling and staying out late at night. The singer declares his love for Irene and swears to love her until the end of time. However, he reveals that if Irene ever leaves him, he will turn to morphine to end his life.
The song's lyrics reflect the struggles of marriage and the importance of staying true to one's partner, even in difficult times. The traditional folk melody of "Goodnight Irene" adds to the song's timeless quality and universal themes. Van Morrison's interpretation brings a new level of soulful, bluesy depth to the classic tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Last Saturday night I got married
I got married this past Saturday night
Me and my wife settled down
My now-wife and I settled down
But me and my wife have parted
But my wife and I have separated
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
I'm going to take another walk around downtown
Irene goodnight (goodnight Irene)
Irene, goodnight (goodnight, Irene)
Stop your ramblin'
Stop wandering aimlessly
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 home to your wife and family
Sit down by your fireside so bright
Sit down near your bright fireside
Irene goodnight (Irene)
Irene, goodnight (Irene)
I love Irene and I swear I do (yes)
I genuinely love Irene (yes, I swear I do)
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I truly love her
Love 'er, love 'er, love 'er, love 'er
I love her so much
Still the sea runs dry
My love will endure forever
And if Irene ever turns her back on me
But 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 Irene, goodnight Irene
Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I'll dream of you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HUDDIE LEDBETTER, JOHN A. LOMAX
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!!!!