Good Night Irene
Woody Guthrie And Pete Seeger Lyrics
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Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settle down
I'm gonna take another stroll in town
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 town
Sometimes I have a great notion
To jump in the river and drown
Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
The song Good Night Irene was originally written by Lead Belly, but it was Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger who popularized it as a folk song. The song is widely known for its sturdy and compelling melody, with the lyrics describing a man who has been recently separated from his wife. He is consumed with longing and loneliness, and wishes Irene, his former lover, a good night. The song ends with him hoping to see her again in his dreams, indicating his deep desire to be reunited with her.
The lyrics are full of emotional depth and significance. The first verse establishes the tone and theme of the song, while the following verses demonstrate how the singer is coping with the loneliness and isolation of separation. He is left feeling adrift in either the country or the city, and sometimes overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness that leads him to contemplate suicide.
Line by Line Meaning
Irene, goodnight
Saying goodbye to Irene, hoping she rests well.
Irene, goodnight
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the farewell to Irene.
Goodnight, Irene
Wishing Irene a goodnight and restful sleep.
Goodnight, Irene
Repeating the previous line to further emphasize the farewell to Irene.
I'll see you in my dreams
Expressing the hope and desire to see Irene in dreams.
Last Saturday night I got married
Sharing a personal life event about getting married recently.
Me and my wife settle down
Having started a life together with a wife and beginning to settle down.
Now me and my wife are parted
Informing that after starting a life together, they are now separated or divorced.
I'm gonna take another stroll in town
Planning to take a walk around town, potentially to find a new partner.
Sometimes I live in the country
Expressing the variation of living in between rural and urban areas.
Sometimes I live in town
Continuing to express the idea of living in different types of environments.
Sometimes I have a great notion
Referring to having strong thoughts or ideas.
To jump in the river and drown
Referencing a suicidal thought or desire to escape life's struggles permanently.
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