Goodnight Irene
Various Artists Lyrics


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Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I′ll see you in my dreams

Last saturday night I got married
Me and my love settled down
Now me and my love are parted
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I′ll see you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I have a great notion
To jump In the river and drown

Irene goodnight, Irene good night
Good night Irene, good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Ramblin' stop your gamblin′
Stop stayin′ out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Sit down by the fireside bright

Irene goodnight, Irene good night
Good night Irene, good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Irene goodnight, Irene good night




Good night Irene, good night Irene
I′ll see you in my dreams

Overall Meaning

The song "Goodnight Irene" by Various Artists is a classic American folk song that has been covered by many famous musicians over the years. The song tells the story of a man named Ramblin' who has just gotten married but is already thinking about leaving his wife to take a stroll downtown. He seems to be torn between his love for his wife and his desire for a more carefree and adventurous life.


The chorus of the song, "Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight, goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams," is a bittersweet farewell to Irene, perhaps an old flame or an idealized version of freedom that Ramblin' is leaving behind. The repetition of the chorus adds to the melancholy tone of the song, with Ramblin' acknowledging that he might never see Irene again except in his dreams.


The final verse of the song is a plea for Ramblin' to settle down and go home to his wife and family, offering a more traditional vision of happiness and stability. Overall, "Goodnight Irene" is a song about the difficulty of making choices and the regret that comes with leaving something behind.


Line by Line Meaning

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Addressing Irene, wishing her a goodnight


Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Repeating the wish for Irene to have a good night


I'll see you in my dreams
Expressing the desire to dream about Irene


Last Saturday night I got married
Talking about getting married last Saturday night


Me and my love settled down
Settling down with the love of my life


Now me and my love are parted
Me and my love are now separated


I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
Going to take a walk downtown


Sometimes I live in the country
Living in the countryside sometimes


Sometimes I live in the town
Living in the town sometimes


Sometimes I have a great notion
Sometimes, I have a strong urge


To jump in the river and drown
To commit suicide in the river


Ramblin' stop your gamblin'
If you're wandering around, stop gambling


Stop stayin' out late at night
Don't stay out late at night


Go home to your wife and your family
Return home to your wife and family


Sit down by the fireside bright
Sit down and relax by the bright fire


Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Addressing Irene, wishing her a goodnight


Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
Repeating the wish for Irene to have a good night


I'll see you in my dreams
Expressing the desire to dream about Irene




Writer(s): Huddie Ledbetter, John A Lomax

Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@sofiaestherlucerosanchez7065

La leyenda sigue...gracias por estar conmigo después de tantos años.

@soulman171

Hope there will be a DVD

@minetteh1001

Omg Dana and Dennis I would pass over and die :)

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