Goodnight Irene chords by Lead Belly (Official Version)

GuitarPianoUkulele

Ab
Eb7/Bb
Db
Eb

Verse 1
Ab 
Eb7/Bb 
I  (A flat major) asked your mother for  (E flat7/Bb) you
Ab 
She told me that you was too young  (A flat major) 
I wish dear Lord
Db 
that I'd never  (D flat major) seen your face
Eb 
Ab 
I'm sorry  (E flat major) you ever were born  (A flat major) 

Chorus 1

Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I guess you're in my dreams

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Verse 2

Sometimes I live in the country

Sometimes I live in town

Sometimes I haves a great notion

Jumping in, into the river and drown

Chorus 2

Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I guess you're in my dreams

Verse 3

Stop ramblin' and stop gamblin'

Quit staying out late at night

Go home to your wife and your family

Stay there by the fireside bright

Chorus 3

Irene good night

Good night Irene, good night Irene

I guess you're in my dreams

Verse 4

I love Irene, God knows I do

I love her 'til the sea runs dry

If Irene turns her back on me

I'm gonna take morphine and die

1943Blues

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GuitarPianoUkulele

Ab
Eb7/Bb
Db
Eb

Tuning: E A D G B EDifficulty: EasyKey: Ab majorBPM: 132

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Finger positions, low to high (E A D G B e). 0 is open, x is muted.

Ab: 4-6-6-5-4-4
Eb7/Bb: 6-x-5-6-4-x
Db: x-4-6-6-6-x
Eb: x-6-8-8-8-x

Accurately transcribed by the GuitarTuna team.

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This is the definitive original version of Goodnight Irene by Lead Belly, transcribed exactly as it was recorded in the studio. Unlike our simplified arrangement, this chart preserves the precise chord voicings and progressions in the original key of Ab major. It suits players who want to learn Goodnight Irene the way Lead Belly intended, without oversimplifying the arrangement.