I Am a Man Of Constant Sorrow
The Soggy Bottom Boys/Dan Tyminski (band version) Lyrics

The Soggy Bottom Boys' song "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" is a traditional folk song that tells the story of a man who has experienced a great deal of trouble and hardship throughout his life. The lyrics convey a sense of sadness and longing as the singer reflects on his past and contemplates his uncertain future.

The opening lines of the song, "I am a man of constant sorrow, I've seen trouble all my day," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is a man who has been through a lot in his life, and his experiences have left him feeling down and out. He bids farewell to his home of old Kentucky, the place where he was born and raised, and lamenting the fact that he has no friends to help him in his time of need.

The second verse of the song reveals that the singer has been in trouble for six long years, and has found no pleasures on earth during that time. He feels that he is bound to ramble through life and that he is helpless to change his circumstances. The third verse continues the theme of saying goodbye, this time to an old lover whom he never expects to see again. He is bound to ride the northern railroad, perhaps even to his death.

The final verse of the song takes on a more somber tone, as the singer requests that he be buried in a deep valley while he sleeps in his grave. He tells his former lover that she will learn to love another while he is gone, and that his friends may think of him as a stranger. However, he promises that he will meet her again on God's golden shore, hinting at the possibility of an afterlife.

Overall, the song is a powerful reminder of the struggles that people face in life, and the deep emotions that can arise from those struggles. It speaks to the human need for connection, even when circumstances seem to make it impossible.