The Weavers - Goodnight Irene 

My grandmother would always add the lyric: “Sometimes she sleeps in pajamas, Sometimes she sleeps in a gown, But when they’re both in the laundry, Irene is the talk of the town” 😳😂

Im so happy that they take a minute to pay their respects to leadbelly and explained how they learned it from him

I lost my Dad in 1997 at the young age of 59. I was only 21. I remember in the house I grew up in. My Dad used to play and sing to this song. I'm 45 now and I will never get tired of hearing this song. Because it keeps my Dad close to my heart.

Two instruments plus 4 voices = a whole choir and orchestra. Rest in peace all four of you.

My beautiful sister, Irene, died at 42. She was troubled. I still see her in my dreams.

Old folk music like this should always be preserved

My grandmother's name was Irene, and this was played at her funeral. Thank you for this wonderful video. It put a smile on my face. Good night, Nanarene.

I work at a nursing home and some woman sang this to my residents and it was beautiful.

I was walking home from the carnival in the fifties and for blocks away I heard Irene sung by the weavers a popular song at the time. ❤❤❤❤still love it.

My grandfather used to sing this to my grandmother her name was Irene they've been gone now, 50 years, but I still remember them with Love ❤️ 😍

My grandma used to play this song in the car when I was very little. I didn’t know English that well back then, but I sung it with all my heart at the age of 5. Nowadays, I’m not in contact with my grandparents anymore due to family issues. But sometimes I like to listen to this song and cherish the good memories I have of us singing it together.

It’s strange to feel nostalgia for a song you’ve never heard before…

Takes me back 77 years, when I was 13 and on a long trip with my grandparents. Whenever we'd stop for a meal, I would always drop a nickle in the jukebox to hear this song.

Mom passed away seven months ago at 92, her name was Irene and still remember her singing and humming this quite often when I was four or five , 65 odd years ago but still clear in my head and heart.

Worked in a nursing home. The folks just loved this song. Their eyes got warm and they were lighthearted listening and singing to this. It warmed my heart, too. I always liked this song after that.

Growing up, before bed, my Grandma would always say "Good night Irene" to me and my mom and I never asked why. After she passed we found out that our great grandparents used to play this all the time for her as a kid. Ever since, my mom and I got in the habit of saying it to each other at night and when I turned 18 I got it tattooed across my shoulders in big, beautiful cursive script.

Crazy how we can listen to songs like these after so many years after their recordings

My grama was irene. My grampa would always play this at the end of any party. Both gone and this song always get to me. But brings back all the good times

The Weavers at Carnegie Hall was one of my favorite albums as a child in the late 50s. This and Pete's version of 'Greensleeves' were the one's I loved the best.

Thanks for posting this. My mom, Irene, celebrates her 89th birthday soon, and she always liked this song. I live far away, and am thinking of her tonight. Thanks again.

Thanks for this. A true American classic. Leadbelly deserves more credit than he has gotten over the years, but the Weavers recognized him.

Fantastic. The Weavers when they were young. They inspired me nearly 60 years ago. The world needs a group like the Weavers now.

I miss my grandmother she was the light in this world of darkness.... Im going to keep listening to this song in name of her. and pass it on to the next generation

Kid was I was born 5 months after. my dad was killed in a coal mining accidennt. This was one of his favourite songs of the times. And my mother called me Irene in his memory. called me Irene in his memory

I sat by my grandmas grave and i sang this too the night after night i had a dream where she was sitting by me and singing this song

One of the happiest days of my life was when I was able to see the Weavers in concert. Pete had left them by then, but the show was still awesome. When they sang Good Night, Irene, I got tears in my eyes. It brought back happy memories of my teen years when it was popular. We sang it in the car on trips all the time. What a wonderful group of singers the Weavers were. Thank you, SnappHF for posting this.

thank you for keeping wonderful song alive on youtube. My mother is 100 years old and she used to listen to this song. Tonight I played it for her to help her go to sleep. She says thank you and she is having a good bedtime song thanks to your generosity & thoughtfulness.

The Glorious theme tune of Bristol Rovers Football Club in England.Just promoted to League 1 of the Football League at the end of the 2015-2016 Season!Come on you Blues!!!!!!

So my uncle says "Goodnight Irene!" Whenever I sink a ship in world of warships, or whenever it's bedtime or if we're watching boxing or MMA and someone gets knocked out. Always wondered where it was from, and then today I'm playing Bioshock infinite and I hear this song playing in an area at the start of the game; which sent me here and I've enjoyed reading all of your stories about loved ones and times past.

Rest in peace, Ronnie Gilbert....

Whenever I hear Good Night Irene I realize that song will live on for hundreds of years. Some long past away voice echoing through time bouncing off souls until time ends.

Thank you Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, and The Weavers. Without you, there never would have been a Peter, Paul, and Mary!

I love this so much- when I was a child,(years ago), my grandma would put this record on and we would sing and dance in my bedroom. I miss her so much !!

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 are parted I'm gonna take a little stroll downtown But Irene, goodnight. Irene, goodnight Goodnight, Irene. Goodnight, Irene I'll see you in my dreams Sometimes I live in the country And sometimes I live in town Sometimes I take a great notion To jump into the river and drown But Irene, goodnight. Irene, goodnight Goodnight, Irene. Goodnight, Irene I'll see you in my dreams Stop ramblin'. Stop your gamblin' Stop staying out late at night Go home to your wife and family Stay there by the fireside, bright But Irene, goodnight. Irene, goodnight Goodnight, Irene. Goodnight, Irene I'll see you in my dreams

One great oldie played by a very skilled group. Never get tired of it. Fun to get the old tenor banjo going and play along. NH

My grandmother Irene grew up right next to a university in Canada and the fraternity next door used to sing this song at 10pm to her annoyance!

Awful classy of The Weaves to credit Leadbelly for the song he wrote and first performed. Not many other white performers did that for their black inspirations at the time.

First memory of my grandma she was 4 when this came out in 1953!! She remembers her mother sing this song and heard this on radio at only 4!

Thanks for making the world a better place Ronnie Gilbert and The Weavers.

After knowing Alan Lomax for a short while, I was shown who Lead Belly was and what he was known for. During the late 1960s, I became aware of "The Weavers" and their music. "Good Night Irene" became one of my staples in my performances. My thanks to Huddie Ledbetter and, then Texas Governor Pat Neff, for the music I grew up with. R. I. P. Weavers. You are remembered.

What a truly beautiful voice that woman had

My beloved aunt was Irene. Loved her so. Missing her as I listen. Thank you.

My late Aunt Irene’s favorite song. RIP Auntie.

Loved the introductory tribute to Leadbelly! Rest in peace all legends..

I've had many WWII and Korean War Veterans sing this to me at the many Veterans events I volunteered at for over 14 years. Always made my heart smile to hear them sing to me.

The lady has a very beautiful voice!

My grandmother used to sing this to me. Loved it. Still my favorite memory.

Thank you. You gave me more than a smile but brought a moment of real joy to my heart. This is a treasure. I was a tot when this song became a radio hit. It remains burned into my memory and I remember singing it with my grandmother perhaps I was 4 to 5 years old.

Growing up and still to this day, every older person I meet, once I tell them my name they start singing this song to me.

thanks for bringing me to a wonderful music, bioshock infinite!

BEST EVER. my Dad would hum this tune all day as he served his customers

Pete Seeger on guitar, Neil Diamond was inspired to become a singer/songwriter when as a young man he saw Peter Seeger perform at his camp in upstate New York.

my father used sing this version of the song to me when i was very young. The Lyrics on this version by the Weavers show a few differences to the Original by "Lead Belly" of the early 1930s Like " I'm gonna take morphine and die" and "I'll get you in my dreams"

When I was a aide, I took care of an lady called Irene..she loved this song and always sung along and wept when it played on the radio...took care of her husband first and the family let me care for her too when he passed on .all together, 7 years . . Will always remember her ❤

This rarely gets played on the radio nowadays. My local radio station WCRS 1450AM ( greenwood sc) played this version.

Miss u Judy..rip my dear sweet Judy blue eyes..love u miss u so much

Why does it makes me cry :( : ( :(

rest in peace miss gilbert, your voice lives on in Bristol UK, irene is our clubs anthem - Bristol Rovers

Love this song, my grandfather showed it to me and I fell in love with it.

My dad used to sing this to my baby brother……great memories….now I sing this to my cat…when he hears me he comes and snuggles with me….every night…..

Heaven has gained an other angel. Thank you, Ronnie !

So amazingly young in this film. Thanks for this. Miss you Ronnie and Pete and all.

Blessings to Ronnie THANK YOU AND YOUR WONDERFUL VOICE a time remembered !

Cuando solo tenía 3 años, lo escuché en una radio y me alegra acordarme desde que era pequeño :)

One of the greatest song of all time.

Love this song. It brings back wonderful memories of when my father use to sing this song when I was growing up. He passed away many years ago, I am glad I came across this today. Thank you.

i was born in 2005 but i grew up on these songs. my paretns put this song on before i would go to bed. this song is a huge part of my life. so sad that our kids wont know these beautiful amazing songs.

The song my best friend and beloved life partner used to play on the piano when it was time for the guests to leave the party. I miss him every day, RIP Johnny.

I read that the lady in this group, Ronnie Gilbert, almost got expelled from school because she refused to wear blackface in her drama class. She was way ahead of her time.

My Aunty and Uncle had an old green jalopy of a truck they called "Irene". Whenever I hear this song I always think of them both. RIP.

Marvellous group. RIP all 4 of them.

My wife's name is Irene. Yeah.. I use to dream about her in my dreams.

Thanks so much! In my head, I can still hear My Mom singing this! It will be her birthday in a couple days, so, this made me cry, but I love it. ⚘ 🤗

Love this. Happy almost 86th birthday to my Grandma Irene!! I'll have to sing this one to her and see if she remembers it! ❤

This song makes me cry every time I hear it, I have so many good memories associated with it.

This song doesn't have any personal meaning to me, but I'm taking a Rock Music and Culture class in college, and my professor highly encouraged me to listen to this. Was not disappointed and I can see why many people cherish this song.

I grew up with this song when in junior high school. Loved it then and I still do.

It put a smile and tears on my face. A song like this brings up lots of memories.

I heard the name Irene and suddenly this song was brought to mind. My dad lived waltzes and i recall him singing this . My ling term memory kicked in ! Ill bet it's been 70 years since i heard this. Thank you for posting it! Nancy F Jenkins

my mother was trying to hum this song fir us and i found it it for her thanks for the upload

"Irene, Good Night" was the original title and it was written in 1886 by Gussie Lord Davis. Leadbelly was one of several performers who incorporated this song into their repertoire. My mother told me that this was the first song I learned to sing when I wasn't even able to talk yet. They used to leave the radio on by my crib and she said I would sing along with the chorus whenever it came on. That was 1950 or 51. It's a sure fire sing along tune.

When I was a little kid, my father would sing this song to me. He said it always made me cry. I don't remember that, but I do remember him singing it.

Thank-you for posting this great old video.. It is much appreciated. Vielen dank.

My mother would often sing this song. Rip mum.

So beautiful.

That woman has an amazing voice need to listen to weavers and more music of this genre more

My great grandmother, Alene, (my middle name) loved this song. At her funeral, we all sang "Goodnight Alene, I'll see you in my dreams..."

I grew up listening to my mother's records of these guys. I love them! Hearing this after many years reminds me of the beautiful music to which my mother exposed me.

Thank you for sharing this clip. This song was also top 1 on the billboard charts for thirteen weeks in 1950.

I remember as a kid in Houston on Saturday night, I would stay at my grandparents while my parents went out. Grandpa always watched The Glen Campbell Show, Marty Robbins, Live from Gilley's, and the Grand Old Opry. Mickey Gilley always closed his show with his version of Goodnight Irene along with all the guests from that night. They're all gone now, but that memory and that song will always be with me.

My grandma’s name was Irene and she passed 10 years ago today. My mom and I just enjoyed this song with a sip of grandma’s favorite drink: brandy and cherry juice ❤

The Weavers at their best!

Per: www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm Ronnie Gilbert, contralto singer with the influential Weavers folk quartet, died of natural causes Saturday (June 6th, 2015) at a retirement home in Mill Valley, California. She was 88. The group-- including Pete Seeger, Lee Hays (who had performed together earlier in the Almanac Singers) and Fred Hellerman-- formed in 1948 in Greenwich Village, New York where they appeared at the Village Vanguard club. Their name came from an 1892 play about the uprising by Eastern European weavers nearly 50 years earlier. They were quickly signed to Decca Records where they succeeded with traditional American folk tunes like "Goodnight Irene" (#1-1950), "So Long It's Been Good To Know You" (#4-1951) and "On Top Of Old Smoky" (#2-1951)-- the latter with Terry Gilkyson. When Pete and Lee were identified as members of the Communist Party and called to testify before the House Committee on Unamerican Activities in 1955 (Lee pleaded the Fifth Amendment, Pete refused to answer on First Amendment grounds though he had left the party in 1949 and was indicted for contempt of Congress), the group's success was over. Decca had already dropped their contract in 1952, they were blacklisted from radio and television and the group eventually split up. Ronnie went on to tour solo but with little commercial success. However, the Weavers' influence in the folk boom of the late '50s and early '60s on such groups as the Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan was undeniable. The group reunited in 1980 for a documentary film, "The Weavers: Wasn't That A Time," which was released two years later. They were given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2006 and inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001... May she R.I.P.

The Enemy Charlie Higsons series brough me here! This is an aweosme song. Mad respect to the old generation music and to lead belly and to you SnappHF.

Beautiful...this comments, this video..this is life....... i love u guys.. greetings from Croatia, God bless

My Mothers favourite when I was a kid!

I once listened to this song with my mum, whose name is Irene: she asked me if I could play this song at her funeral. Now I can't listen to this song without crying.

Love that they gave credit to the great Leadbelly

im relief that all this great songs . geatr performance. like leadbelly will live on meanwhile there is people like us that even after almost 100 years still listening and admiring this songs... the future of music still have hope

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