The Weavers Goodnight, Irene

"Goodnight, Irene" written and first recorded by blues pioneer Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in 1933, became the first big hit for The Weavers in 1950. Group members were Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays, & Fred Hellerman. The single on Decca Records reached number 1 on the Billboard Best Seller Chart. This sound recording is administered by INgrooves ,UMG, NaxosofAmerica & Made in Etaly. No copyright infringement is intended. The purpose of this upload is for viewer enjoyment and education not for monetary gain.

I dedicate this to Pete Seeger, co-founder of The Weavers, May 3, 1919 -- January 27, 2014.

[camnelson]

My grandma, Irene, is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary soon. I plan to play this for her

[mikeziff]

Sometimes Irene wears pajamas.
Sometimes Irene wears a gown.
But when they're both at the cleaners,
Irene is the talk of the town.

[johnderby]

Yea for Ronnie Gilbert and her wonderful This version is both a national treasure and a classic!

[martinbunny]

Beautiful song and the BEST rendition; recall listening to on a home made crystal set radio about 68 years ago. Recently made a songsheet for ukulele playing!

[jerrylyons]

was about 16 and we'd drive to lebayou's a drive inn where there was curb service and parkcars, go inside to play juke box. this song was repeatedly played and outside at night we kids would sing as there were speakers in trees. this was 69 years ago. some of the kids there never returned from korea.

[andrewpearson]

Pete Seeger's vocal is my favorite here. He never sang his own great songs the way they should've been, but give him a cover or a folk song and he would go to town.

[lolagregg]

Am reminded again how popular this song was when I was a preschooler, and how angry my babysitter, Irene, would be when I would sing it to her.

[IIVVBlues]

"Irene, Good Night" was the original title and it was written in 1886 by Gussie Lord Davis.

[vfb-lf]

In memory of my mother Irene H., who died on January 6th, 1991. Im Gedenken an meine Mutter Irene H., gestorben am 6. Januar 1991.

[philipnorris]

Pete's contribution will never be forgotten.

[woodenloonynickel]

I like to imagine how sweet Nuclear weapons disbarment/disarmament felt. I Hope the dreams will sustain Nations not bastardized with Hatred.

[janecollier]

Good night auntie Irene we lost you 13/6/19 rip xxx💖💔💖💞💕💖💖💖💖

[dorothyevans]

This is the first song in my memory, hearing it on the radio,  1950, age 2.

[Aenygma_]

Columbia's raffle of 1912 has officially begun!! :D

[thendrjazz]

This is the pop record of Irene by the Weavers as mentioned above that made them famous and earned money for them and Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter. Like most 1950 records it has a big orchestra with strings behind the vocals. The Weavers may have never performed it that way live. They would almost always do it with just Pete Seeger's banjo and at this point Fred Hellerman's
guitarl. Later it would be done by Seeger solo w.banjo and usually audience sing along or by other "folk singers' with guitar. The fact that it was at core a "folk" song made it easier for country performers such as Ernest Tubb and Red Foley to do it as well. The 223 versions in secondhandsongs carry a full range of folk, r&b, country, rock and other styles but few lush orchestra versions after the original 1950-51 rush to copy this record.

[davidhambleton]

Happy Mother's Day today Irene ( Mum.) 12th of May 2, 019.

[JefRoberts]

And now, Fred Hellerman is gone too. Farewell...

[anthonydeveno]

My mother's Uncle Ray's wife's name was Irine and he would sing this song to her

[MusicManMichaelDavis]

I. Have played this song many times timeless!

[jimcoppoc]

Great song, but Leadbelly didn't write it.  He learned it form his uncles, who learned it elsewhere...