—Leadbelly
Chorus:
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
I asked your mother for you
She told me that she was too young
I wish dear Lord I'd never seen her face
I'm sorry you was ever born
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I have the great notion
To jump In the river and drown
Stop ramblin' and stop gamblin'
Quit stayin' out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
Sit down by the fireside bright
I love Irene god knows I do
I'll love her till the sea runs dry
If Irene turns her back on me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
3/4
Verse & Chorus:
| I | V | V | I |
| I – I7 | IV | V | I |