Man of Constant Sorrow?
Shawn Kimbro
Does anyone have any background information on "Man of Constant Sorrow?" I
know it's public domain but the song has a decidedly 20th century feel to
it. The Stanley Brothers seem to have the definitive version, but I think I
recall that there are earlier recordings. Was it always so jaunty? We have
a slowed-down version on our mp3.com site: http://www.mp3.com/mountainsoul.
Can anyone provide information as to this song's origins?
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Paul
Shawn Kimbro <j...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:t7v4v3a...@corp.supernews.com...
The Soggy Bottom Boys' version of 'Man of Constant Sorrow' is an almost
word-for-word reproduction of the Stanley Brothers' 1951 version on Columbia
[except for the response line]. In turn, the Stanley Brothers' version was
reasonably close to the published song from which various versions were to
stem. Richard Burnett of Monticello, Kentucky, was blinded in 1907 at the
age of 24 years. He turned to music to make a living and travelled the
country, playing his music and writing, selling and exchanging various
broadside 'ballots'. He later met a young fiddler by the name of Leonard
Rutherford and they played music and travelled together for 35 years.
Between 1926 and 1930, they made 24 recordings which have been reissued on
Document DOCD-8025. Burnett published what was to become known as 'I Am a
Man of Constant Sorrow' in one of his little songbooks under the title
'Farewell Song'. In an marvellous interview in April 1973 with Charles Wolfe
(Burnett was almost 90 at the time), Burnett said that he sold 6000 'of them
books' at ten cents apiece. Wolfe asked him about the song. Wolfe: 'What
about this "Farewell Song" - "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow"? Did you write
it?' Burnett: 'No, I think I got that ballet from somebody - I dunno. It may
be my song ...' [Old Time Music No 10 Autumn 1973 p 8]. Burnett did not
record the song either alone or with Rutherford. An early recording that
follows Burnett's printed version closely may be found on Various Artists
'Music of Kentucky Vol 2' Yazoo CD 2014: Emry Arthur 'I'm a Man of Constant
Sorrow'. Burnett's printed text:
FAREWELL SONG
(Traditional/Burnett?)
I am a man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I'll bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was born and raised
Oh, six long years I've been blind, friends
My pleasures here on earth are done
In this world I have to ramble
For I have no parents to help me now
So fare you well my own true lover
I fear I'll never see you again
For I am bound to ride the northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon the train
Oh you may bury me in some deep valley
For many years there I may lay
Oh when you're dreaming while you're slumbering
While I am sleeping in the clay
Oh fare you well to my native country
The place where I have loved so well
For I have all kinds of trouble
In this vain world no tongue can tell
Dear friends, although I may be a stranger
My face you may never see no more
But there is a promise that is given
Where we can meet on that beautiful shore
Source: As published in a broadside pamphlet by Richard Burnett of
Monticello, Kentucky. 'The text appears to date from 1913, making it one of
the earliest versions of this moving song' (Charles Wolfe). Reprinted in
'The Songs of Richard Burnett' Old Time Music No 10 Autumn 1973 pp 10-11.
paulS.
Darwin, Australia.
Paul
Paul <oldt...@ozemail.com.spam.au> wrote in message
news:G5Pf6.2480$sS4....@ozemail.com.au...
>
> Shawn Kimbro <j...@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:t7v4v3a...@corp.supernews.com...
> > Hi folks --
> >
Press of Kentucky 1982 p21), Charles Wolfe stated that 'Burnett apparently
based his melody on an old Baptist hymn called "Wandering Boy"'.
paulS.
slackja...@my-deja.com
it. It's a beautiful acoustic piece. If Garcia were alive I'm sure he
could tell us more about it's background than anyone. From everything I
gather he was a numinous wellspring of folk mus
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John Garst
<j...@charter.net> wrote:
> Hi folks --
>
> Does anyone have any background information on "Man of Constant Sorrow?"...
Ed Haley, 1997 (originally 1946-7)
AABA tune
Almeda Riddle, 1970 publication
AABA tune
collected by Roger Abrahams; handwritten ballet was given to her grandfather
by a friend in about 1850 - a gold rush song)
Norman Lee Vass, 1957 publication
AA tune
collected by Herbert Shellans
Norman's brother, Mat Shellans, wrote it in the 1890s
Stanley Brothers, Ralph vocal, ca 1950
AA tune
commercial sound recording
Emry Arthur, 1928
AA tune
commercial sound recording
Francis Richards, Callaway, VA, 1918
AA tune (Wayfaring Stranger)
text mixed with "I was born in East Virginia"
collected by Cecil Sharp
Dick Burnett, 1913
"Farewell Song"
booklet (Charles Wolfe interview)
William Walker, 1846
AABA tune, TENDER-HEARTED CHRISTIAN (arr in 3 parts)
text: hymn beginning "Come all ye tender-hearted Christians"
same hymn as "Christ Suffering" (see below)
Stith Mead, 1807
selection of hymns and spiritual songs (no tunes)
"Christ Suffering"
includes lines
He was a man of constant sorrow,
He went a mourner all his days.
(These lines and everything else in the hymn have very direct
Biblical counterparts.)
Jeremiah Ingalls, 1805
AABB tune, JUDGMENT HYMN
AA part closely resembles both TENDER-HEARTED CHRISTIAN and the
modern tune MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW
text is unrelated (except by meter)
The above is from my paper presented at the
17TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC CONFERENCE
1-3 JUNE, 2000, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
John Garst
...
> Does anyone have any background information on "Man of Constant Sorrow?"....
In article <t7v4v3a...@corp.supernews.com>, "Shawn Kimbro"
<j...@charter.net> wrote:
> Hi folks --
>
> Does anyone have any background information on "Man of Constant Sorrow?"...
Ed Haley, 1997 (originally 1946-7)
AABA tune
Almeda Riddle, 1970 publication
AABA tune
collected by Roger Abrahams; handwritten ballet was given to her grandfather
by a friend in about 1850 - a gold rush song)
Norman Lee Vass, 1957 publication
AA tune
collected by Herbert Shellans
Norman's brother, Mat Vass, wrote it in the 1890s
John Garst
brodeo...@gmail.com
I'm trying to make sure Man of Constant Sorrow is public domain. Does anyone know where I can definitely prove this?
Thanks!
