"Goodnight Irene"

I think I'll continue posting about the 1950s. Haven't posted one of my covers for some time. Well, "Goodnight Irene" is a folk song that was originally 'discovered' (or whatever you do with those kinds of songs) by Leadbelly in the 1940s. It was a hit for The Weavers in 1950.

My version:



Leadbelly version:



Verses tend to differ. I sing these threee verses:

CHORUS:
Irene Goodnight Irene,
Irene Goodnight,
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene,
I'll see you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country,
Sometimes I lives in town,
Sometimes I have a great notion,
To jump in the river and drown.
[repeat chorus]

Stop your gamblin', Stop your ramblin'
Stop staying out late at night
Go-oo home to your wife and family
And stay by your fireside bright
[repeat chorus ad infinitum]

I loves Irene, God knows I do,
Loves her till the sea runs dry,
If Irene turns her back on me,
I'm gonna take morphine and die.
[repeat chorus]