John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937– June 4, 2001) was an American count… Read Full Bio ↴John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937– June 4, 2001) was an American country and bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics, unique vocal style, and extensive knowledge of Mississippi River lore. Hartford performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his career, and is perhaps best known for his solo performances where he would interchange the guitar, banjo, and fiddle from song to song. He also invented his own shuffle tap dance move, and clogged on an amplified piece of plywood while he played and sang.
At the time of his death, Hartford was also working on the biography of the blind fiddler Ed Haley. Hartford's album Wild Hog in the Red Bush is a collection of Haley's tunes. Hartford also provided narration for several of Ken Burns' documentaries.
Hartford was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Hartford recorded more than 30 albums in his life, ranging across a broad spectrum of styles--from the traditional country of his early RCA recordings, to the new and experimental sound of his early newgrass recordings, to the traditional folk style to which he often returned later in his life. Hartford's albums also vary widely in formality, from the stately and orderly "Annual Waltz" to the rougher and less cut recordings that typified many of his later albums.
"Aereo-Plain" and "Morning Bugle" are often considered to be Hartford's most influential work, coming as they did at the very beginning of a period in which artists such as Hartford and the New Grass Revival, led by Sam Bush, would create a new form of country music, blending their country backgrounds with influences from another of other sources. His later years saw a number of live albums, as well as recordings that explored the repertoire of old-time folk music. He sketched the cover art for some of his mid-career albums, drawing with both hands simultaneously.
From the 1980s onwards, Hartford struggled with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On June 4, 2001 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, at age 63, he died of the disease.
Hartford is remembered as an influential and pioneering artist. Never bound by the limitations of one genre, he recorded wherever his interests led him. Performing and recording until his illness rendered him incapable of continuing, Hartford contributed a vast and unique body of work to the library of American music.
At the time of his death, Hartford was also working on the biography of the blind fiddler Ed Haley. Hartford's album Wild Hog in the Red Bush is a collection of Haley's tunes. Hartford also provided narration for several of Ken Burns' documentaries.
Hartford was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Hartford recorded more than 30 albums in his life, ranging across a broad spectrum of styles--from the traditional country of his early RCA recordings, to the new and experimental sound of his early newgrass recordings, to the traditional folk style to which he often returned later in his life. Hartford's albums also vary widely in formality, from the stately and orderly "Annual Waltz" to the rougher and less cut recordings that typified many of his later albums.
"Aereo-Plain" and "Morning Bugle" are often considered to be Hartford's most influential work, coming as they did at the very beginning of a period in which artists such as Hartford and the New Grass Revival, led by Sam Bush, would create a new form of country music, blending their country backgrounds with influences from another of other sources. His later years saw a number of live albums, as well as recordings that explored the repertoire of old-time folk music. He sketched the cover art for some of his mid-career albums, drawing with both hands simultaneously.
From the 1980s onwards, Hartford struggled with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On June 4, 2001 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, at age 63, he died of the disease.
Hartford is remembered as an influential and pioneering artist. Never bound by the limitations of one genre, he recorded wherever his interests led him. Performing and recording until his illness rendered him incapable of continuing, Hartford contributed a vast and unique body of work to the library of American music.
Man of Constant Sorrow
John Hartford Lyrics
Instrumental
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@davidhickman1289
I have fond memories of John when he was a young entertainer. When I was about 25 years old I smoked a joint with him and had to call a friend to drive me home. I don't know how he smoked his "special blend" and danced all over the stage singing and pickin. The world lost a truly great talent when he lost the battle to cancer.RIP John, a banjo pickin friend.
@charlesmartin2819
Nice. I've always loved John Hartford's music. He remains a true American musical icon. RIP brother.
@susieq728
I played both of these songs at my Godmother's funeral. She was pretty much my mom. Thank you for posting this as now it helps my little one get to sleep. And leaves me with pleasant thoughts of my Harriette. The angel that watches over my little ones now. Thank you, this should be on youtube indeed.
@stephenhelms2932
I also played this at my daughters funeral
@allkindsagirls6117
i was listening to this song passing through golden hillsides of california. never have i been so at peace.
@bobhicks280
John said that Gentle on My Mind gave him his freedom to do what he wanted. He used that freedom to do so much whether it was new grass, country rock with the Byrds, dancing on a piece of plywood, or the beautiful music you hear here.
@KevinMichaelCallihan
I own this DVD and love it as based on the Illiad, Homer, because it shares an original, John Hartford that I listened to constantly from 1975 to 1977, as I know it is odd but that was a time when his music absorbed and I saw him play three times at different venues and his last one, for me to see, was when he stopped off at the river bank in Ashland, Kentucky during a festival and I did not know he was ill. It felt as though he knew the audience and picked out a few faces and would focus on them. A great day in my mind. A great story in life for many folks who appreciated his abilities to so many people without judging him at all because he could play with anyone. The best that I cannot find now except in bits and pieces is a time when his work was done alone for an hour or more where he just played. It was last time I checked, unavailable and maybe there is family that requested that to happen and I respect the requests.
@GunNut4570
John Hartford recorded the first song just after he found out he was dying. Every time I hear this version I get the goosebumps just thinking about it.
@maggiecole4686
The first song, is, in fact, a slower tempo, instrumental version of "Man of Constant Sorrow", performed by John Hartford. The second song is "Man of Constant Sorrow", as we've all come to know it, and performed by Norman Blake. You have to also consider the difference the instrument makes in the sound. The last song is "Indian War Whoop" performed by John Hartford. These are all recordings from the soundtrack for the movie, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" You can look at the soundtrack list on amazon and play pieces of each. The video title is, in fact, correct.
@paulaoneal2125
So moving, it touches the soul.