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Goodnight Irene

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[Verse 1]
I Gasked your mother for Dyou
She D7told me that you was too Gyoung
I Gwish dear Lord that I'd never Cseen your face
I'm Gsorry that you Dever was Gborn
[Chorus]
GIrene, goodDnight
D7Irene, goodGnight
GooGdnight, Irene, goodCnight, Irene
I Gget you D7in my Gdreams
[Verse 2]
SomeGtimes I live in the countryD  
SomeD7times I live in Gtown
SomeGtimes I take a great Cnotion
To jump Ginto the Driver and Gdrown
[Chorus]
GIrene, goodDnight
D7Irene, goodGnight
GooGdnight, Irene, goodCnight, Irene
I Gget you D7in my Gdreams
[Verse 3]
Stop Grambling and stop Dgambling
Stop D7staying out late at Gnight
Go Ghome to your wife and your Cfamily
Sit Gdown by Dthe fireside Gbright
[Chorus]
GIrene, goodDnight
D7Irene, goodGnight
GooGdnight, Irene, goodCnight, Irene
I Gget you D7in my Gdreams
[Verse 4]
I Glove Irene, God Dknows I do
I'll D7love her till the seas run Gdry
GIf Irene should turn her Cback on me
            G              D  G*** *
I'd take the morphine and die
NOT IN THIS RECORDING
[Verse 4]
LaGst Saturday night, I gDot married
Me aD7nd my wife settled downG  
NoGw me and my wife are partedC  
I'm Dgonna take another strolGl downtown

All chords in this song (4)

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Goodnight Irene

by Leadbelly

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

G D

I asked your mother for you

D7 G

She told me that you was too young

G C

I wish dear Lord that I'd never seen your face

G D G

I'm sorry that you ever was born

[Chorus]

G D

Irene, goodnight

D7 G

Irene, goodnight

G C

Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene

G D7 G

I get you in my dreams

[Verse 2]

G D

Sometimes I live in the country

D7 G

Sometimes I live in town

G C

Sometimes I take a great notion

G D G

To jump into the river and drown

[Chorus]

G D

Irene, goodnight

D7 G

Irene, goodnight

G C

Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene

G D7 G

I get you in my dreams

[Verse 3]

G D

Stop rambling and stop gambling

D7 G

Stop staying out late at night

G C

Go home to your wife and your family

G D G

Sit down by the fireside bright

[Chorus]

G D

Irene, goodnight

D7 G

Irene, goodnight

G C

Goodnight, Irene, goodnight, Irene

G D7 G

I get you in my dreams

[Verse 4]

G D

I love Irene, God knows I do

D7 G

I'll love her till the seas run dry

G C

If Irene should turn her back on me

G D G

*** *

I'd take the morphine and die

NOT IN THIS RECORDING

[Verse 4]

G D

Last Saturday night, I got married

D7 G

Me and my wife settled down

G C

Now me and my wife are parted

D G

I'm gonna take another stroll downtown

About Goodnight Irene Chords by Leadbelly

Learn how to play Goodnight Irene by Leadbelly with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Goodnight Irene chords”, “Goodnight Irene guitar chords”, or “Leadbelly Goodnight Irene chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Goodnight Irene chords and for experienced players who want accurate Goodnight Irene lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, D7, C.

FAQ — Goodnight Irene by Leadbelly

How do I play "Goodnight Irene" by Leadbelly on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Goodnight Irene" by Leadbelly free?

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Can I transpose "Goodnight Irene" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Goodnight Irene" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Goodnight Irene"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Goodnight Irene" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Goodnight Irene" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Goodnight Irene" by Leadbelly with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leadbelly below.

What key is "Goodnight Irene" in?

The chords for "Goodnight Irene" show the original chord names (including G, D, D7, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.