Soggy Bottom Boys
I am a Man of Constant Sorrow

Transcribed by Paul Conte


Intro riff:

e-------------------------------------1-1-1------------
B-------------------------------------1-1-1------------
G-------------------1-----------------2-2-2------------
D---1h3-3-3---1h3-1---3---1-3-1-------3-3-3------------
A-------------------------------------3-3-3------------
E-------------------------------4-1---1-1-1------------


All of these notes are taken from the F minor Pentatonic Scale.

This scale is used throughout the song for improvising fills between verses.

F minor pentatonic scale: (part of it atleast)

  e-1-----4-----6-
  B-1-----4-----6-
  G-1--3-----5----
  D-1--3--------6-
  A-1--3--------6-
  E-1-----4-----6-

Chords:

 F               Bb             C

e---1          e---1          e---3
B---1          B---3          B---5
G---2          G---3          G---5
D---3          D---3          D---5
A---3          A---1          A---3
E---1          E---1          E---3

Fill 1: (usually used after the chord progression to start a new one)

e---------
B---------
G---------
D---------
A---------
E---4-1---


Order:


INTRO RIFF, then:

              C                    Bb   Fill 1   F
...in constant sorrow all through his day.



VERSE: (Chord Progression: F Bb C Bb F)


F                        Bb
i am a man of constant sorrow

             C             Bb  F
i've seen trouble all my days

F                         Bb
i bid farewell to old kentucky

                C                 Bb  F
the place where i was born and raised

F               C                    Bb  F  (Improvise!)
(the place where he was born and raised)


Repeat for the other verses.

Great Song, good luck
                   -Paul