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"Man of Constant Sorrow" (also known as "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow") is a traditional American folk song first published by Dick Burnett, a partially blind fiddler from Kentucky. It was titled "Farewell Song" in a songbook by Burnett dated to around 1913. A version recorded by Emry Arthur in 1928 gave the song its current titles.
The song is a rewrite of "Man of Constant Sorrow" that she remembered from a hillbilly record (likely recorded by Emry Arthur in 1928) she had heard some years before in the mountains, but the lyrics she wrote was considerably different from the original after the first verse.
Burnett has been described as "one of the great natural songsters, a man who collected, codified, and transmitted some of our best traditional songs. Dick was also a skilful composer and folk poet of considerable skill; his "Man of Constant Sorrow" remains one of the most evocative country songs." [1]
Man of Sorrows (c. 1485–95), an especially complex version by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Dutch, 25 × 24 cm [4] The image formed part of the subject of the Mass of Saint Gregory ; by 1350 the Roman icon was being claimed as a contemporary representation of the vision. [ 5 ]
One of Emry's solos was the first recording of "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow," which was released on 78-rpm record in 1928. Vocalion was impressed by good sales, particularly of the religious sides, and by the fact that Emry was Southern singer living conveniently in the North, so he was invited back to record frequently through 1928 and 1929.
His play on "Man of Constant Sorrow" suggests he traveled extensively, possibly through Appalachia. He is known for recording songs about being an outlaw, despite being legally blind. [ 5 ] Delta Blind Billy is not to be confused with the earlier musician, Blind Billy, who was a former slave.
The title song is a variant of "Man of Constant Sorrow". The selections range from the Scottish anthem "Wild Mountain Thyme" to the Irish standards "Bold Fenian Men" and "The Prickilie Bush". The album also includes more obscure numbers, such as "Tim Evans", "Wars of Germany" and "John Riley".
"Trouble" is this earthly life; the singer looks forward to a better, heavenly, one: "Trouble will soon be over, sorrow will have an end". The singer reflects that God was a friend to the Biblical King David , and hopes for like treatment: "I'll gauge that the same God that David served will give me rest some day".