For months and months and months around the country
Everybody sang Irene goodnight
But she wouldn't go to bed no matter what they said though everybody tried with all their might.
She stayed awake while steel guitars were a going
In every honky-tonk she could be seen
but she finally went to bed and covered up her head and now there's not a thing can wake Irene

Wakeup Irene you've sleep to long Wakeup Irene it's time to move along
Wakeup Irene and pay for your bed Wakeup Irene or folks will think your dead

Lot's of guitar pickers by the dozen Sang goodnight Irene all night and day
And even Crosby too with his bobobabobedo tried to get Irene to hit the hay
Well I guess they finally sang her off to slumber
They must have tried a million times or more
But oh my aching back when she finally hit the sack man you ought to hear that women snore

Wakeup Irene you've sleep to long Wakeup Irene it's time to move along
Wakeup Irene and pay for your bed Wakeup Irene or folks will think your dead