Man of Constant Sorrow; Behind the music
Man of Constant Sorrow was originally recorded by the partially blind fiddler Dick Burnett in 1913. Burnett, interviewed late in life, couldn't remember whether he had written the tune, saying: "No, I think I got that ballad from somebody. I dunno. It may be my song." Wikipedia comments on the uncertainty around the song's origins:
According to the Country Music Annual, Burnett "probably tailored a pre-existing song to fit his blindness" and may have adapted a hymn. Charles Wolfe argues that "Burnett probably based his melody on an old Baptist hymn called 'Wandering Boy.'
According to the Country Music Annual, Burnett "probably tailored a pre-existing song to fit his blindness" and may have adapted a hymn. Charles Wolfe argues that "Burnett probably based his melody on an old Baptist hymn called 'Wandering Boy.'
This is a great song that's not easy to find, it's usually missing from most compilations. Here's my arrangement for ukulele, It's one of the 40 great songs in the Play Ukulele NOW Campfire Singalong. Click here to get your copy
man_of_constant_sorrow.pdf |