Reeves, Jim - Good Night Irene Lyrics

"Goodnight, Irene" or "Irene, Goodnight," is a 20th-century

American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded

by American blues musician Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter

in 1933.



Source:-


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight,_Irene


Of course, one would not expect Jim's rendition to remotely
resemble "Leadbelly's" original in any shape or form, other
than the 3/4 time.


This is in no way a criticism of Jim, merely an observation.


You can, if you wish, hear and maybe even enjoy the original
recording here...


 https://www.coothead.co.uk/huddie/index.html


coothead.

Christine Nöstlinger brachte mich hierher (Zwei Wochen im Mai).

Anyone listening this in 2019? Hit like

2020...haaa, used to sing this in a band in 70,'s and 80's in OZ

My mother used to sing this song to me when I was a little boy in the 1950's. Lovely to hear it again.

Goooood!

They don’t write lovely songs like these any more I wish they would ❤️

It was written and sing first by Lead Belly who often changed lyrics to his songs over time. This version has become standard. The one I first heard he asks her mother for her, but she's too young; he may also have a wife because he sings stop rambling, stop gambling and staying out late at night, go back to your wife and family and to your fireside bright. It's amazing the wide range of artists who have recorded it.

This is such a bittersweet song for me, personally. This is one of the first songs that I can ever remember my dad playing on his old reel-to-reel Sony tape recorder when I was a baby. This song was always beautiful, and I always had a soft place in my heart for it, ever since the first time that I heard it. However, after both of my parents passed on, and now after numerous searches on the Internet since 1994, all of the versions of the song that I could find did not sound anything like the one that was burned into my memory since early childhood. I never thought simply to ask either of my parents who had sang the song, because I did not want to bother them with something so trivial, and I always figured that I had plenty of time to ask them if I ever decided that I really had to know. One thing led to another, and who sang this song kind of slipped to the very bottom of my information-seeking brain area.

So here it is over 25 years later, and I decided to take another last look. Imagine my surprise then, when I actually did this short search--more as an aside then as a "full" search--and mostly because I really didn't expect to find anything new, only to find, well, you know...!

So, needless to say I was surprised to find this version posted. Then, and as soon as it cued up and as soon as the first couple of bars played, I knew that my long search was over. This was the version of the song that my dad had played to me all of those years ago. Well, I was very happy to have found it, to say the very least, and I listened to it over and over and over, if I'm being honest here!

Thank you so much for posting this. Though it reminds me of a time long ago that will never come again, it also reminds me of a time long ago that will never come again! Hahaha! But you get my drift, I'm sure. Now that both of my parents are long gone, some of the music that they introduced me to as a very young baby include many of the songs that I now cherish the most. I was so young that I can't even put old emotions to many of the songs--such as this one--so now I can only apply emotions to the songs that I feel at the moment I am listening. The only memories that I have for such songs is that they were beautiful, period, then and now. And I suppose that is not such a bad place to start. Thanks again, Ace.

Wow. Since I was a child, my Late Sister learned me to play it on her Piano. RIP my dear Sister

Love that song😎

Its a beautifull song. And my name is irene.i thank jim to sing this song with my name.

My mother used to sing this to us on very stormy nights when the wind howled and it rained so hard. It was so soothing. I can still remember her rocking the baby while the other four of us sat right by her knees.

I lost my mom on 12/22/2018.my dad used to sing this to her all the time I MISS THEM BOTH SO VERY MUCH

Hey, you two. You sang this to me many times at parties. How right your were! ;-)

My name is Irene & I love this song I've always loved my name .Irene Gibbons .x

My first girlfriend. I was so in love......

Yea my name Irene I randomly looked this up lmfao it’s relaxing 😂my name is old asf

My mom's favorite song and her name IRENE.

This song reminds me my wife. I miss her so much. But, now we're parted! 😢

SO FAR AS I LISTEN TO EACH DIFFERENT SINGER SINGING THIS I LIKE THIS VERSION AND VOICE THE BEST. I LL LISTEN NOW TO SOME MORE SINGERS SINGING THIS SONG...................................

My father sang this song to my mother when they where courting

Today my mother Irene, would have been 96. She has that many of Jim's LP's that i have lost count. RIP Mum. David.

***OK***

"Good Night Irene"

Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams.

Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife have parted
So I'll 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 town
Sometimes I take 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...

Alan Muanpui

My mom's favorite artist!

LOVE YOU FRANCIS MY FATHERS FAVORIT MUSIC

Thank you Walter....for this song...
its nice to know that my name is in this song....makes me feel extra special...

Walter? Never been called that before, dork yes, Walter no.... Dave :)

You are lucky (Irene) beautiful name and Song beautiful .

thats my nick name, irene

Frenita Burhan

thankyou for posting this song.Jim Reeves was my dad's favourite singer. A hardcore fan you could say.he used to sing his songs all the time.whenever i listen to Jim's song itakes me feel like my dad is with me.from him I'm myself has become a fan of Jim Reeves.

Hello and thank you for your comment, and I must admit, I've been called that a time or twenty myself, and that tells me much of your father, good man I'd bet, thanks for all, have a great day, Dave :0)

beautiful song, sad in a way though

I'm thinking the word touching what you mean?

krasnoooooooooooooo

+Irena Pavlic Hvala, ker ste tako zelo veliko, res cenim, in to je zelo lepo od vas, da pravijo, in vas prosimo, imajo zelo lep dan, Dave :)

A favorite of my Father as well, thanks for posting!

+Alex Dittmer It's truly my pleasure and I'm very glad you enjoyed, I remember hearing this one when I was about 4 with my Father singing along, maybe that's why we love it so, thanks for the comment and view, very kind of you, and please have the best day, Dave :)

My late mother was Irene,I used to say that this was her song."good night mummy".

@esona1 I love hearing things like this, it's part of why I do what I do, I do it in hopes it might touch someone and I never know where, when, or why, some cry, some laugh, but it's all a part of life and sharing, thanks for the great comment, and have a great day, Dave :)

David L. Rogers o

that was so soothing

@Balthazar Nietzsche I must agree, love it....

A voice like chocolate!
Superb

@SuperBking1340 lol, I suppose that would depend on if one is a man or a woman, a woman might say that, while a man might say, rich and thick like chocolate, but then again, anyone could say either of the two, like I do, thanks for the comment , Dave :)

One of my favorite songs and it brings back fond memories from teenage years! A very nice one from Jim Reeves, thank you Dave!

I'm right there with you, in memories and fondness, as for the years, I was about 5 when this was released so ya got me on that one, and you know you're more than welcome, you also know it's truly my pleasure to share, have a wonderful day my friend, and say hello to my Michelle, I hope she had the best birthday ever, thanks again to the both of you, so sweet of you too :-)