The lyrics depict a man who has faced constant troubles and has had to bid farewell to his home in Kentucky. He expresses loneliness and a lack of joy in his life, stating that he has no friends to help him. Despite feeling like a wanderer, he longs to be reunited with his true love in the afterlife.

Meaning of "Man of Constant Sorrow" by Donna The Buffalo

The lyrics of "Man of Constant Sorrow" convey a deep sense of loneliness, longing, and hardship. The speaker reflects on a life full of troubles and struggles, feeling disconnected from the world around him and lacking a support system. The mention of bidding farewell to Kentucky, the place of his roots, symbolizes a sense of loss and longing for the familiarity of home. The theme of feeling like an outsider, a stranger to even his own friends, adds to the underlying sense of isolation. However, amidst all the despair, the speaker finds solace in the promise of a reunion with his true love on a "golden shore." This final hope serves as a beacon of light in the darkness of his troubled existence, offering a glimpse of redemption and reunion beyond the struggles of this world.