I was born in 1942 in New Zealand and this song is a strong memory of around 1950 2when it really took off at the local radio station. I think most people in the little town I lived in were either singing or whistling it in the streets. Lovely to see this reunion and relive my memories of those years. Thanks so much!
I cared for Lee Hays in the 70's at Phelps Memorial Hospital. Pete Seeger came to visit, with his ever present guitar, and serenaded Lee for an afternoon. I considered Lee a friend. There will never be another group like this.
What a memory to cherish. We had concert here in Sydney to honour Pete on his 90th birthday. It was a show with plenty of sing-along opportunities. We practically blew the roof of the concert hall, such was our enthusiasm and admiration for this great man.
David Michael, if you ever take a look at the comments here, thank you for your service to Lee Hays. I have the deepest respect for caregivers, and there is something especially of the heart in supporting those elders who have given us so much in their lives. Deepest respect.
Words cannot describe how many times I've seen this documentary. When I was in 5th grade we had to make a ABC book about some one and I chose Pete Seeger. Now 18, words cannot describe how lucky I was to grow up with this music. Rest in peace Pete, you gave me more than you will ever know.
The best version by miles of this song. Lee Hayes was clearly ill but his beautiful bass voice rang like a bell and Ronnie sings like a bird. All great musicians and great people. They inspired me nearly 60 years ago. How the world could do with a group like the Weavers now.
As I was watching this, I received a notification telling me that Peter died at the age of 94. A rare moment with God. Goodnight, Peter, I'll hear you in my dreams.
"Goodnight Irene" was the biggest selling record of 1950! As a little boy of two years of age, I played it over and over on the record player in our big Admiral console AM-shortwave radio. To this day, "Goodnight Irene" brings tears and fond memories to this 76-year-old, mans eyes.
“My job is to show folks there’s a lot of good music in this world, and if used right it may help to save the planet.” - Pete Seeger. RIP Pete....and Thank You! May we now all carry it on........
Pete would have turned 100 this month, May 2019. He and his wife Toshi were an integral part of our community here in Beacon, NY. Both gone now but the music lives forever...I sure miss seeing them around town. Lovely people.
My grandfather was a romantic and would on occasion break out in song to my grandmother. This was one of his favorites to sing to her along with "You are my sunshine".
Pete Seeger exudes such nobility and kindness; he's clearly the leader of the group, but all he really wants to do his highlight and support the others, help them shine. And in the final holiday message, his enunciation of "we" is so powerful; it's not a "me, him, him and her" kind of "we" but "WE" as if only in their unity do they have a message. He is just so unbelievably generous.
I remember being introduced to the Weavers via a Public TV documentary led by Holly Near in 1984. I did not previously know of their existence or social activism until then and have been a major fan ever since then. Good night Irene was a song that my grandfather sang to his children during the 40s and 50s. My mother conveyed this to me about 5 years ago before her passing. I've learned the various verses and now sing it to future generations in my presence.
Good Night to All the Weavers...thank you for the music and the how you demonstrated through your careers how to be brave in the face of your opponents and to stay the course of your convictions. Lee, Pete, Ronnie and Fred, your legacy is your music and the path you blazed for others to follow.
As a charter member of the "Red River Acoustical Society" in North Texas, I can attest that "Good Night Irene" was the last song we sang at every meeting-concert. Thank you Hoody Leadbetter.
Aww, anothe passing today with Ronnie at age 88 that completes the end of their musical circle and the end of another generation, another era of time.Reminds that we, too, are getting older. We also live in the best of times/the worst of times and with the technology today, we are able to enjoy these videos for a long, long time. Good night, Irene, and Good night to the Weavers.
Ya know, I'm 68 years old and my parents died when I was a boy. The Weavers have been my models for living and for aging. The "joyful poignancy", if I may juxtapose the two words, that they brought to their music and their lives has accompanied and sustained me all my life. Wish I could tell them. Hope they know. Especially Ole Pete. I love Ya Pete. Thanks.
Over 70 years ago, I was a small boy listening to this song by Autry, the Weavers, Eddie Arnold and dozens of others. Now as an old man, I say Goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams.
I was sang this song all my life. Now at the age of 62 I still bring that song out of family and strangers alike. Not to many days go by that I don't hear this song. I love it and will always. Its been a big part of my life... Lol
Wonderful. And their voices like the ones of young people!!!!! I'm almost 60 and I vould like that my voice stays so beautiful like the one of the lady!
This golden song was the lullaby which papa sung to me as a baby. perhaps because my name is Irene... the name sake of his mama, my mamalola. Never mind the lyrics but, i like its melody. Thank you to The Weavers!
Mitica ballata, eseguita da quasi tutti i grandi, da Eric Clapton a Tom Waits,a Seeger,a Jerry Lee e via dicendo, ma questo complesso,la esegue in maniera superba: da vedere quando erano giovani,ed ora al loro tramonto...un'autentica perla da piangere dalla bellezza !!!! Antonio Cesrae
its great to hear this old time music.it brings back a lot of old but sweet memories of a very happy and memorable childhood,and friends.they used to play this at the city swimming pool ln adel ga.1951.thanks again for the memory.AAAAhhhhhh.
Why anyone would ever dislike this video I do not know. This is an awesome awesome group and I am sure the vast majority of us truly do appreciate their works!
What a wonderful moment in music history. They put shame on the 'singers' of today. This is beautiful. It was Jim Reeves that I grew up listening to singing this song. The yodelling in the background just adds to the atmosphere. Fantastic!....
am mixed race and 38 my nana would singe this all time.......lifes real and that lovely woman that comforted me every day is in this song.....my NANA......RIP
How sad that I was not at that final reunion concert---at that time I was young enough to be there, and I had the resources. But things don't always work out the way you'd like...
I grew up listening to the Weavers when I was in High School....I did not know this video existed...I found it here...It brought tears to my eyes.....Thank you for posting it.
Gotta be about the classiest musical farewell I’m aware of. Every note conveys a sense of all they’ve been through together, and the love and respect they have not only for each other, but for the audience. I love how Pete Seeger (and with such a majestic presence) strums his banjo as if this is not their final song together, but the final notes of a single song that’s been their entire journey together, and though all things must end, you do it with a smile and gladness; and that ultra-classy holiday wish at the end, affirming that it’s all ultimately about the audience, and simply wishing good for them.
Yes this song is a tribute to so much. Certainly Ledbelly who never got recognition in his lifetime. But also to the Weavers, and their pure talent unmatched by any current pops performers, which was undone by the paranoid conspiracy theorists of the McCarthy era-- and their descendants still lurking. Thanks for saving some of the reality of what incredible talent they could hav brought to all of us.
This is a song my grandfather sang when we where milking it brings good memories of a time when life was filled with simple pleasures new horns in the spring the changing of seasons as leafs fall the gentle kiss of winters first snow fall the calm and clean of January’s freeze. I guess I made it I do spend time looking back
In Bristol, England this theme tune is the tune for Bristol Rovers Football Club. It has been for over 50 years. (The club is over 100 years old) At the end of April a friend of ours, a Gashead, Julian Dyer died. Gasheads are what Bristol Rovers supporters are called. The new football season starts beginning August 2017 - please include Julian in your prayers.
The highlight of my concert going life, definitely this one. I attended one of what I think were two performances. Late Nov or Dec '80. The response was so intense, I think our balcony shook.
Go on fellows making that music! It´s wunderfull. Your voices are wery well reproduced.The instruments are a little thin.Wonderfull that people like you enjoy the hearts of listeners with these beautifull songs. A happy new year alltogether!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember looking all over to find the album of this concert for my cousin when it first came out because she had the title incorrect. The film is called 'Wasn't that a Time' but the album is called 'Together Again'. Only the now defunct legendary Colony Records on Broadway knew what I was talking about. This concert and song always makes me think of her. I despised their politics but because of my cousin I got to like the music.
