For months and months and months around the countryEverybody sang Irene goodnightBut she wouldn't go to bedNo matter what they saidThough everybody tried with all their mightShe stayed awake while steel guitars were goingIn every honky-tonk she could be seenThen she finally went to bedCovered up her headAnd now there's not a thing can wake IreneWake up, IreneYou slept too longWake up, IreneIt's time to move alongWake up, IreneAnd pay for your bedWake up, IreneIt's time to move alongOur folks will think you're deadNow lots of guitar pickers by the dozenSang goodnight Irene all night and dayAnd even Crosby, tooWith his boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-dooTried to get Irene to hit the hayWell, I guess they finally signed her off to slumberThey must have tried a million times or moreAnd oh, my aching backWhen she finally hit the sackMan, you ought to hear that woman snoreWake up, IreneWake up, IreneYou slept too longWake up, IreneIt's time to move alongWake up, IreneAnd pay for your bedWake up, IreneOur folks will think you're dead