Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Flashback to “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Fictional Band Soggy Bottom Boys

Man Of Constant Sorrow by The Soggy Bottom Boys
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

“Man of Constant Sorrow” is, without a doubt, the most unexpected hit of the 21st century. Thanks to The Soggy Bottom Boys, who gave this gift to country fans and country radio. But did you know that The Soggy Bottom Boys are a fictional band?

The band was so fictional that the faces on the screen didn’t even make the music. It was actually American bluegrass vocalist Dan Tyminski who sang actor George Clooney’s vocals. Tyminski and his Nashville bluegrass pals delivered the instrumental picking too. 

The band was created for a movie, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” in which they perform the iconic song, “Man of Constant Sorrow” twice, including the film’s dramatic, comedic finale that you really have to re-watch if it’s been a few years.

The Soggy Bottom Boys’ version of the song peaked at No. 35 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and was able to sell over a million copies in the United States by November 2016. 

Not only that, “Man of Constant Sorrow” received a CMA Award for “Single of the Year” in 2001, and a year later, it earned a Grammy for “Best Country Collaboration with Vocals” in 2002. It was also named Song of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2001. 

The Song Has Been Around For Over a Century

Country artist Joe Nichols recalls the 2001 hit as a song “released in the middle of a very non-bluegrass part of country music, era of country music, and it cut right through like a knife.” He said, “It sounded old, but it sounded new, and I think it just grabbed everybody.”

But what most people don’t know is that “Man of Constant Sorrow,” also known as “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” has been around for over a century. The traditional American folk song was first published by Dick Burnett, a partially blind fiddler from Kentucky. The song was originally titled “Farewell Song” in Burnett’s songbook dated to around 1913. Emry Arthur recorded the early version in 1928, which gave the song its current titles.

However, there exists some uncertainty as to whether Dick Burnett is the original writer. In an interview he had toward the end of his life, he said he couldn’t remember whether he had written the tune. “No, I think I got that ballad from somebody. I dunno. It may be my song,” Burnett said.

But the original lyrics of the song, in the second verse, mentions that the singer has been blind for six years: “Oh, six long years I’ve been blind, friends” – this held true with the year Burnett was blinded, which is in 1907. 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 suggested that “Burnett probably based his melody on an old Baptist hymn called “Wandering Boy.”

The song was later popularized by The Stanley Brothers, who recorded the song in the 1950s, and several other singers recorded versions in the 1960s, the most notable one was by Bob Dylan. Variations of the song have also been recorded under the titles of “Maid of Constant Sorrow” by Judy Collins, “Girl of Constant Sorrow” by Joan Baez, and “Sorrow” by Peter, Paul and Mary.

Decades Later, The Public Interest In The Song Was Renewed

The song became popular for at least the third time after the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? In 2000, where it played a central role in the plot. The original plan was for the song to be sung by the film’s lead actor, George Clooney; however, it was found out that his recording was not up to the required standard. Clooney only had two or three weeks to work with, which was not enough time to prepare him to record a credible hit country record.

So it was later decided for the song to be recorded by Dan Tyminski along with Pat Enright and Harley Allen, based on The Stanley Brothers’ version. Tyminski also wrote, changed, and played the guitar part of the arrangement.

Tune in below for The Soggy Bottom Boys’ iconic performance of “Man of Constant Sorrow.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meCZ5hWNRFU&feature=emb_title

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...