Man of Constant Sorrow

"Man of Constant Sorrow" is a traditional old-time American folk song. The Longest Johns released a YouTube cover of the song on 13 September 2023, and it was later included on Caught in the Net Vol 1, released 18 October 2024.

The song likely has its roots in re-writings of an American hymn, "Christ Suffering", which is attested at least as far back as 1807. By 1846, the text was being paired with a variant on the hymn tune "Judgment" (also the source of the tune for "Wayfaring Stranger") called "Tender Hearted Christian", which bears significant similarities to the tune commonly used today. Secular re-writings of the song began appearing around 1850 and, cross-pollinating with other folk songs of the era, grew into a vast family of interrelated songs including "East Virginia (Dark Hollow)", "Drowsy Sleeper", and "Fair and Tender Ladies".^[1]^[2]

The song was likely adapted into its modern form by Kentucky folk musician Dick Burnett, who first published it under the title "Farewell Song" in 1913. It was first recorded in 1928 by Emry Arthur, who likely learned it from Burnett. It saw a significant boost in popularity after being recorded by the Stanley Brothers in 1950, leading to several mid-century recordings by folk revival artists such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, and was rocketed to mainstream fame after its inclusion in the 2000 film O Brother Where Art Thou, arranged and recorded for the soundtrack by a trio of bluegrass musicians under the name "The Soggy Bottom Boys", the name of the fictional band in the film.^[3]

Lyrics

In constant sorrow all through his days

I am a man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was born and raised
(The place where he was born and raised)

For six long years I've been in trouble
No pleasures here on earth I've found
For in this world I'm bound to ramble
I have no friends to help me now
(He has no friends to help him now)

It's fare thee well my old true lover
I never expect to see you again
For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon this train
(Perhaps he'll die upon this train)

You can bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
And you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in my grave
(While he is sleeping in his grave)

Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
My face you never will see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I'll meet you on God's golden shore
(He'll meet you on God's golden shore)

Recordings

Stream/Purchase

YouTube Videos

Full Band Streams

O Streamer, Where Art Thou? (27 Nov 2024)

↑ Garst, John. "Man of Constant Sorrow: Antecedents and Tradition." Country Music Annual 2002, edited by James E. Akenson and Charles K. Wolfe, University Press of Kentucky, 2015, pp. 26-53.
↑ https://balladindex.org/Ballads/CSW113.html
↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_Constant_Sorrow#Soggy_Bottom_Boys

[1] Garst, John. "Man of Constant Sorrow: Antecedents and Tradition." Country Music Annual 2002, edited by James E. Akenson and Charles K. Wolfe, University Press of Kentucky, 2015, pp. 26-53.

[2] ttps://balladindex.org/Ballads/CSW113.html

[3] ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_of_Constant_Sorrow#Soggy_Bottom_Boys

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