"GOODNIGHT IRENE"
原曲是懐念一段逝去的愛情, 對妻子的悔言, 悲痛欲絕至自暴自棄, 有心存跳河自盡之念, 在歌詞中的一句: "Sometime I take a great notion to jump in the river and drown" 全表露出來。
Lead Belly (1888-1949)
原名 Huddie William Ledbetter 能演奏多種樂器如 Piano, Harmonica, Mandolin, Violin, Guitar, Accordion 等, 他稱此曲於1908年學自其叔父 Terell; 但有傳此曲是出自 Gussie L. Davis 1886年的作品 "Irene Good Night", 因為與前者有些歌詞句子頗為相似。
自1915年開始, Lead Belly 曾多次犯案成為獄中常客, 1930年的最後一次身陷窂獄, 被囚於 Louisiana State Penitentiary, 在獄中經常參與表演, 得音樂歴史研究學者 John Lomax 與及兒子 Alan Lomax 到獄中探訪, 並得父子俩賞識, 將其歌曲録音及保存。在囚期間, Lead Belly 重新編改此曲, 及後証實與 Gussie L. Davis 的原作 "Irene, Good Night" 部份歌詞有相似外, 並没有樂譜錄存記載可引証, 相信 Lead Belly 的靈感是從 Davis 的作品所引發而矣。
至1934年 Lead Belly 被假釋, 在出獄前己經有不少作品由 John Lomax 父子代為錄音, 包括 "GOODNIGHT IRENE"; 可惜他的作品祇局限於紐約市的 "Rhythm & Blues 藍調怨曲" 音樂圈子, 對他在該地的歌唱事業普遍不被認同。
GOODNIGHT IRENE - Lead Belly
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
I asked your mother for you
She told me that you was too young
I wish to the Lord I'd never seen your face
or heard your lying tongue
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in the town
Sometimes I have a great notion
to jump into the river and drown
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
Stop ramblin', stop your gamblin'
stop stayin' out late at night
Go home to your wife and your family
sit down by the fireside bright
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dream
I love Irene God knows I do
love her till the sea run dry
And if Irene turns her back on me
I'm gonna take morphine and die
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll get you in my dreams
1950年, Lead Belly 去世後一年, Pete Seeger 為首的鄉謠組合 "The Weavers" 重新編撰, 以較溫和的歌詞演譯, 而唱片亦打入當年 Billboard Best Seller 銷量榜第一位逹25星期, 及後不少歌者以不同演譯將此曲重錄, 同樣以這版本的歌詞流傳至今。
.... The Weavers .... Soccer 足球
Goodnight, Irene - The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins Orchestra
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife have parted
I'm gonna take a little stroll downtown
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Some times I live in the country
Some times I live in town
Some times I take a great notion
To jump in the river and drown
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Quit your rambling quit your gambling
Stop staying out late at night
Stay home with your wife and family
And stay by the fireside of right
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
Irene good night Irene good night
Good night Irene Good night Irene
I'll see you in my dreams
球賽戰歌 : "Goodnight Irene" 今天, 英國足球聯賽乙組隊伍 "Bristol Rovers F.C." 戰歌的催生, 就是始於1950年11月4日, 一埸丙組足球聯賽, 該隊以主場迎戰 "Plymouth Argyle"; 當天晚上比賽前戲, 球場內有煙花匯演, 當時主隊的擁躉唱出一曲 "Goodnight Irene" 揶揄作客的 "Plymouth Argyle" 必會敗興而去, 提早對他們說聲 "Good night 晚安" 回家好了, 即廣府話返歸 "早唞" !!
賽果竟然不出主隊所願, 以3比1取勝; 慶祝之餘, 翌日早上, 一眾 "Bristol Rovers F.C." 球迷和當地民眾, 在路傍列隊歡送那些遠道由 "Plymouth" 來的擁躉, 繼而再以此曲送他們上路返家。由此, 這一曲成了 "Bristol Rovers F.C." 的球賽戰歌; 而理所當然, 這球會的擁躉和當地民眾, 至今仍然以1950年的賽果和意願, 來面對一切賽事!
現今, 兩隊仍然在惡鬥一番, 自1921年至2015年的球季, 兩隊遊走䏈賽 League 1,2,3 甲乙丙組之間的冤家, 歴來主客相遇 95次, "Bristol Rover F.C." W-30 仍遜於 "Plymouth Argyle" W-36, 而兩隊平手共 29 次 !
Bristol Rovers Fans: Goodnight Irene !!