I Am a Man Of Constant Sorrow
The Soggy Bottom Boys (featuring Dan Tyminski) Lyrics
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I've seen trouble all my day
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 found
I have no friends to help me now
(He has no friends to help him now)
It's fare thee well my old 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
Then 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'll never 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)
"I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" is a folk traditional song that was recorded by The Soggy Bottom Boys, which is a fictional band in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Both the movie and the soundtrack that features the song were hugely successful and brought interest in roots music to mainstream audiences.
The lyrics of "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" tell the story of a man who has experienced a lot of hardship and trouble throughout his life. He is bidding farewell to his home in Kentucky, where he was born and raised, as he has no choice but to continue to wander through life. He admits that he has no friends to help him and that the pleasures of life have eluded him for six long years. He has also resigned himself to the fact that he may not see his old lover again, as he is bound to ride a northern railroad to his unknown fate.
The last stanza is the only one that offers a glimmer of hope. Even though he may be viewed as a stranger to his former friends, he promises that he'll reunite with his old lover on God's golden shore, thus suggesting that he may find redemption and solace in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man of constant sorrow
I have been through a lot of difficulties in my life
I've seen trouble all my day
I have faced troubles throughout my life
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
I am leaving the place where I was born and raised
The place where I was born and raised
The place where I spent my childhood days
For six long years I've been in trouble
I have been in a difficult situation for six long years
No pleasures here on earth I found
I have not found any enjoyment in my life
For in this world I'm bound to ramble
I am destined to wander around in this world
I have no friends to help me now
I am all alone and do not have any friends to support me
It's fare thee well my old lover
I am saying goodbye to my old love
I never expect to see you again
I do not think I will see you again
For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad
I have to travel on the northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon this train
I might not survive this journey
You can bury me in some deep valley
When I die, bury me in a deep valley
For many years where I may lay
I will be there for many years
Then you may learn to love another
After I am gone, you may find love elsewhere
While I am sleeping in my grave
While my body is buried in my grave
Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
Your friends may not know me or understand our relationship
My face, you'll never see no more
You will not see my face again
But there is one promise that is given
There is one thing that I promise
I'll meet you on God's golden shore
We will meet again in heaven
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Traditional, John Allen, Scott Mills, Victor Carrera
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind