Goodnight Irene

Played only once by the Grateful Dead, on 31 Dec 1983 (though rehearsed in the studio on 27 September 1990, subsequently broadcast on the 2008 KPFA GD Marathon). Played more frequently by Jerry Garcia with John Kahn and with the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band.

Chorus
Goodnight Irene, goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I take a few notions
I want to jump overboard in a river and drown

[chorus]

One night I got married
Now me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife are parting
I want to jump overboard in a river and drown

[chorus]
[chorus]

Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

detailed information on this song and its roots