I am a man of constant sorrow,
I've seen trouble all my day
I bid farewell to old Kentucky,
The place where I was born and raised
(The place where he was born and raised )

For six long years I've been in trouble,
No pleasures here on earth I found
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 old 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 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)