GOODNIGHT IRENE
(learned from the Hit Parade in 1950; sung by Pete Seeger and the Weavers)
(chorus)
Last Saturday night I got married,
Sometimes I live in the country,
Stop your ramblin', hey, stop your gamblin',
I love Irene, God knows I do,
I asked your mother for you,
You caused me to weep, you caused me to mourn,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight,
Irene, goodnight.
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene,
I'll see you in my dreams.
Me and my wife settled down.
Now me and my wife are parted,
I'm gonna take a little walk downtown.
Goodnight, Irene...
Sometimes I live in the town.
Sometimes I take a great notion
To jump into the river and drown.
Goodnight, Irene...
Stop staying out late at night.
Go home to your wife and children,
Stay there by the fireside bright.
Goodnight, Irene...
Love her till the seas run dry.
And if Irene should turn me down,
I'll take morphine and die.
Goodnight, Irene...
She said you was too young;
I wish to God I'd'a never seen your face,
I'm sorry you ever was born.
Goodnight, Irene...
You caused me to leave my home.
But the very last words I heard you say,
I want you to sing one more song.