LEADBELLY * GOODNIGHT IRENE *

                    HUDDIE LEDBETTER , Aprendió un montón de BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON , que le enseñó lo que era la música, como ganarse la vida con un repertorio de origen folk, tocando la guitarra de 12 cuerdas que Huddie dominaba a la perfección, rescatado del presidio por John A.Lomax, este le " adoptó " como chófer por un tiempo . Mas tarde se instalaria en New York donde consiguió trabajo como cantante y compositor actuando en varios clubs del Greenwich Village . Su repertorio era amplio y muy variado tanto es así que uno de sus primeros éxitos fué el tema tradicional GOODNIGHT IRENE , a ritmo de vals , que con posterioridad aumentó más su popularidad si cabe debido al cover que hicieran del mismo GORDON JENKINS y su Orquesta,. Podéis oir ambos audios ! 

               

Goodnight, Irene Absolutely The Best (2000) Leadbelly

Published 1934

Written 1908

This is a folk standard, meaning no one knows who wrote it. Leadbelly's version has become the most widely recognized.

Leadbelly, whose real name was Huddie Ledbetter, developed this while he was in jail for attempted murder from 1918-1924. It won him his freedom when the warden let him go after hearing this.

In 1930, Leadbelly was once again jailed for attempted murder. Once again, his music won him his freedom when John Lomax and his son Alan convinced prison officials to release him. John and Alan Lomax were anthropologists and music historians who collected songs to preserve in the Library of Congress. They led a successful campaign to free Leadbelly and got him released in 1934. Leadbelly continued to record, and although he never made much money, his music is considered a big piece of US history, as it describes the struggles of black Americans.

Most recorded versions are much more tame than Leadbelly's original, with the line "I'll get you in my dreams" replaced with "I'll see you in my dreams."

In 1950, one year after Leadbelly died, this was a #1 hit for the Folk group The Weavers. Other artists to record the song include Ry Cooder, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, The Chieftains, Tom Waits and Peter, Paul and Mary.

Lyric:

Asked your mother for you

She told me that you was too young 

I wish, dear Lord, that I'd never seen your face

I'm sorry you ever was born.

Irene good night Irene good night

Good night Irene Good night Irene

I'll get you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country, 

Sometimes I live in town.

Sometimes I haves a great notion

To jump into the river and drown.

Irene good night Irene good night

Good night Irene Good night Irene

I'll get you in my dreams

Stop ramblin' and stop gamblin'

Quit staying out late at night

Go home to your wife and your family

Stay down by the fireside bright

Irene good night Irene good night

Good night Irene Good night Irene

I'll get you in my dreams

I loves Irene, God knows I do

Love her till the sea runs dry

If Irene turns her back on me 

I'm gonna take morphine and die