Man Of Constant Sorrow
Journey of Sorrow: A Ballad of Life's Trials
Lyrics
Verse Number One:
Introduction of the narrator as a man of constant sorrow.
I...... am a man........ of constant sorrow
Expressing a history of experiencing trouble throughout his life.
I've seen trouble...... all a'my day.
Reflecting on the challenges faced throughout the narrator's days.
I ........bid farewell........ to old Kentucky
Saying goodbye to his home state, Kentucky.
The place where I .......was born and raised.
Recalling the place of birth and upbringing in Kentucky.
(The place where he was born and raised)
Reiteration of the connection to Kentucky, emphasizing its significance.
Verse Number Two:
Transition to the second verse.
For .......six long years....... I've been in trouble
Describing six years of continuous hardship and lack of joy.
No pleasures here....... on earth I found
Expressing the absence of pleasures during the narrator's time on earth.
For........ in this world...... I'm bound to ramble
Acknowledging the inevitability of wandering or traveling in this world.
I have no friends.... to help me now.
Stating the lack of supportive friends in the narrator's current situation.
( He has no friends to help him now )
Emphasizing the solitude of the narrator without any friends.
Verse Number Three:
Moving on to the third verse.
It's...a'fare thee well .....my old true lover
Bidding farewell to an old lover with no expectation of meeting again.
I.... never expect... to see you again
Expressing a sense of finality regarding the relationship with the old lover.
For.......I'm bound to ride...... that northern railroad
Stating the narrator's commitment to travel on the northern railroad.
Perhaps I'll die....... upon this train.
Contemplating the possibility of death during this journey.
( Perhaps he'll die upon this train. )
Reiterating the uncertainty and danger of the narrator's chosen path.
Verse Number Four:
Entering the fourth verse.
You.... can bury me..... in some deep valley
Expressing a willingness to be buried in a remote valley.
For many years...... where I may lay
Anticipating a long period of rest in the chosen burial place.
Then...... you may learn..... to love another
Encouraging the old lover to move on and find love with another person.
While I am sleeping...... in my grave.
Expressing the narrator's sleep in eternal rest.
(While he is sleeping in his grave. )
Reiterating the theme of eternal sleep in the narrator's grave.
Verse Number Five:
Commencing the fifth verse.
Maybe your friends....... think I'm just a stranger
Addressing the possibility of being seen as a stranger by the old lover's friends.
My face you'll....... never see no more.
Assuring that the narrator's face will not be seen by the old lover anymore.
But there is one promise..... that is given
Highlighting a promise given by the narrator.
I'll meet you on..... God's golden shore.
Anticipating a meeting on God's golden shore in the afterlife.
(He'll meet you on God's golden shore.)
Reiterating the promise of a reunion in the afterlife.
(c) William Douglas Metzgar & Robert Metzgar (ASCAP)
Credits to the songwriters.
Walt Disney Music (ASCAP)
Additional credits to Walt Disney Music and Aim High Music/Universal Music Publishing.
Aim High Music/Universal Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Continuation of the credits.
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