Last Saturday night, I got married,
me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife are parted,
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown
Sometimes I live in the country,
sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I take a great notion,
to jump into the river and drown
I love Irene, God knows I do,
I'll love her till the seas run dry
But if Irene should turn me down,
I'd take the morphine and die
Stop rambling, stop your gambling,
stop staying out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family,
stay there by your fireside bright

[Alternate version]
found on: "Leadbelly Complete Recorded Works 1939-1947, Vol. 2"

Asked your mother for you

She told me that you were too young

I wish, dear lord, that I never seen your face

I'm sorry that you ever was born



Irene good night, Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I catch you in my dreams



Sometimes I live in the country 

Sometimes I live in town

Sometimes I have the great notion

to jump into the river and drown



Irene good night, Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I catch you in my dreams



Stop ramblin' and stop gamblin'

Quit staying out late at night

Go home to your wife and family

Sit down by the fireside bright



Irene good night, Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I catch you in my dreams


I love Irene, God knows I do

Love her til the sea runs dry

If Irene turns her back on me

I'm going to take morphine and die

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Thanks to (Nile B) for correcting these lyrics. Aug 13, 2009