This started as a self-challenge. My songs were getting increasing complex and long and I wanted to see what I could do with some restrictions. So, I decided to cover an old folk tune – 3 chords, simple vocal melody.

I first heard this song in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, although my interpretation is slightly different. I like it because the lyrics are very “emo” (even before my tweaks). Of course those tweaks should be obvious and were made to imply that the song is being sung by some kind of demon – which fits the overall style of my way of “singing”. Said demon may also actually want revenge on his “own true lover” rather than be pining for a reunion.

Of course, the music gets heavier as it goes along and there is lots of lead guitar action….

Lyrics:

I am a man of constant sorrow,
I’ve seen trouble all my days;
I bid farewell to old Gehenna,
The hell where I was born and raised.

For six (six six) long years I’ve been in trouble,
No pleasure here on earth I found,
For in this world I’m cursed to ramble,
I have no friends to help me now.

It’s fare you well, my own true lover,
I never expect to see you again;
For I’m bound to die on that railroad,
Perhaps I’ll die upon this train.

You may bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay (til I rise again),
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in this grave.

Maybe your friends think I’m just a stranger,
My face you never see no more,
But there is one promise that is given,
I’ll taste you on the bloody shores.

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