Man Of Constant Sorrow
Tyminski Lyrics


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I am a man of constant sorrow
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
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 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)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tyminski's song "Man of Constant Sorrow" reflect the lamentations of a troubled man who feels plagued by a lifetime of hardships. He describes himself as a "man of constant sorrow" and indicates that he has experienced troubles throughout his life. This phrase suggests a sense of resigned heaviness and burdensome despair. The singer bids farewell to his home in Kentucky, the place where he was born and raised, implying that he is leaving behind a familiar and comforting environment.


The following lines allude to a six-year period of adversity and struggle, during which he has found no pleasure in life. He states that he is bound to wander in this world, indicating a lack of direction and purpose. Moreover, he expresses a sense of isolation, emphasizing that he has no friends to support him through his difficulties.


The lyricist then addresses his old lover, acknowledging that he will not have the opportunity to see her again. He mentions his intention to ride the northern railroad, understanding that he may meet his demise on this journey. This particular stanza conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of a potentially unfortunate fate.


The singer suggests that he could be buried in a remote valley for many years, while his old lover may move on and find love with another person. This verse reflects a somber acceptance of the possibility that life goes on even after our own departure.


Lastly, the song offers a glimmer of hope in its final stanza. The singer reflects on the possibility that even though his old lover may see him as a stranger now and never see his face again, there is a promise of reunion on "God's golden shore." This promise of a spiritual meeting in a better place suggests that despite the hardships and isolation experienced in life, there is a belief in a future beyond this world where connections can be restored.


Overall, "Man of Constant Sorrow" explores themes of hardship, loss, isolation, and the longing for redemption and reunion in a different realm.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a man of constant sorrow
I am someone who constantly experiences pain and sorrow


I've seen trouble all my day
I have faced difficulties throughout my life


I bid farewell to old Kentucky
I say goodbye to the place I was born and raised, Kentucky


The place where I was born and raised
The place that holds sentimental value as my birthplace and childhood home


For six long years I've been in trouble
I have faced hardships and challenges for a duration of six years


No pleasures here on earth I found
I have not experienced joy or happiness in this world


For in this world I'm bound to ramble
In this world, I am destined to wander or lead a restless life


I have no friends to help me now
I currently have no companions or allies to assist me


It's fare thee well my old lover
I say goodbye to my former lover


I never expect to see you again
I do not anticipate seeing you in the future


For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad
Because I am destined to travel on the northern railroad


Perhaps I'll die upon this train
There is a possibility that I may lose my life during my journey on this train


You can bury me in some deep valley
When I pass away, you have the option to lay me to rest in a secluded valley


For many years where I may lay
There, I will rest for an extended period


Then you may learn to love another
After my death, you might discover affection for someone else


While I am sleeping in my grave
Meanwhile, as I rest in eternal sleep in my grave


Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
Possibly, your acquaintances perceive me solely as an unknown person


My face, you'll never see no more
You will never see my face again


But there is one promise that is given
However, one assurance is certain


I'll meet you on God's golden shore
I will reunite with you on the glorious shore of God's realm




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Traditional, John Allen, Scott Mills, Victor Carrera

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

John Sikes

I'm not a fan of "this beats that", as I can enjoy any GOOD music and this cover definitely qualifies, but that said check this one out and see what you think, if you have the interest and time. Stick with it, pretty stock/tame up front, and some pretty cool and very nonstandard treatments within. It's not a 'stock' version, so to speak, but a lot of fun playing outside the numbers a bit for a portion of his take. If nothing else I expect you might enjoy some of the SERIOUSLY low unaltered vocal effects, use headphones, or better yet a good subwoofer and you can feel it as well as hear it...not kidding:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQYYXN_Lilg

And now for something completely different, if you liked that, here are two awesome covers, on mostly porn for drummers and full up treatments, the other, just NUTS. The last one has just a few views, 157 million and climbing..stick with that one, two...it is something everyone should hear at least once, IMHO. It started out and I thought, "this is going to be hilarious". A few seconds later it was, "damn, this is great!".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RS5RsSPssw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Ao-iNPPUc



Manda Tory

"I am a man of constant sorrow
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
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 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)"



All comments from YouTube:

Off Da Grid

Undoubtedly this man does the best version of this song.

dingle_mccringleberry

the only version, insofar as i can tell

Mindset

dingle_mccringleberry Ralph Stanley did the original recording, in my opinion it’s not as good as this but check it out

jw ruddick

@Mindset nope the original was Emry Arthur 1927 listen to that one first and The song was originally titled "Farewell Song" in a songbook by Burnett dated to around 1913.

Paul W. Woodring

You do know it was him singing for George Clooney in "O Brother, Where Art Thou"? George is always quick to give Dan credit for the voice over.

Ronaldo Garrosu

Frederick Sawyer would like to have a word with you.

24 More Replies...

Jack Carlos

This is insane. It feels like he's playing 3 guitars and his voice is as crisp as years ago!

A RA

Yea, amazing how it’s like he’s playing the percussion, rhythm guitar and those little licks all seamlessly.

The Man from Epsilon Crucis

he is using a double drop D open tuning which helps.

Mindset

My dad always said he was the angry mandolin/guitar player, trying to rip the strings off everytime he plays. Just his style. 😊

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