Sheet music for Goodnight, Irene by the Weavers. Goodnight, Irene or Irene, Goodnight, is a 20th-century American folk standard, written in 3/4 time, first recorded by American blues musician Huddie 'Lead Belly' Ledbetter in 1933. The lyrics tell of the singer's troubled past with his love, Irene, and express his sadness and frustration.