The depression-era comedy is full of great music, so much so that the film’s soundtrack became a sensation and I can recall people scrambling out of the cinema vowing to buy it.

One of the songs, “I’ll Fly Away” for example, is a terrific traditional American folk tune covered for the film by stellar musicians Alison Krause and Gillian Welch. “Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away…”

However, the film’s centrepiece was “Man of Constant Sorrow” – another classic folk song (at one time covered by Bob Dylan), which became a hit both in the film and beyond it.

The song was performed by Everett (a hilarious George Clooney) along with colleagues Pete, Tommy and Delmar – better known as the Soggy Bottom Boys, who despite their unfortunate moniker were unexpectedly propelled to stardom (of a sort) by the song, prompting not one but two distinct renditions of it in the film.

(In reality the song was recorded by Dan Tyminski, a member of Krause’s band, Union Station, and a couple of others.)

Too much information? Ok, just enjoy this video clip, and maybe watch the movie again (or for the first time!) while the pandemic is still slowing you down.
– Mike

Lyrics

I am a man of constant sorrow
I’ve seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was borned and raised
(The place where he was borned and raised)
For six long years I’ve been in trouble
No pleasure here on earth I find
For in this world I’m bound to ramble
I have no friends to help me now
(He has no friends to help him now)
It’s fare thee well my own true lover
I never expect to see you again
For I’m bound to ride that northern railroad
Perhaps I’ll die upon this train
(Perhaps he’ll die upon this train)
You can bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in my grave
(While he is sleeping in his grave)
Maybe your friends think I’m just a stranger
My face you’ll never will see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I’ll meet you on God’s golden shore
(He’ll meet you on God’s golden shore)