As Rick pointed out above, the Soggy Bottom Boys' version of 'Man of Constant Sorrow' is an almost word-for-word reproduction of the Stanley Brothers' 1951 version on Columbia [except for the response line]. In turn, the Stanley Brothers' version was reasonably close to the published song from which various versions were to stem. Richard Burnett of Monticello, Kentucky, was blinded in 1907 at the age of 24 years. He turned to music to make a living and travelled the country, playing his music and writing, selling and exchanging various broadside 'ballots'. He later met a young fiddler by the name of Leonard Rutherford and they played music and travelled together for 35 years. Between 1926 and 1930, they made 24 recordings which have been reissued on Document DOCD-8025. Burnett published what was to become known as 'I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow' in one of his little songbooks under the title 'Farewell Song'. In an marvellous interview in April 1973 with Charles Wolfe (Burnett was almost 90 at the time), Burnett said that he sold 6000 'of them books' at ten cents apiece. Wolfe asked him about the song. Wolfe: 'What about this "Farewell Song" – "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" – did you write it?' Burnett: 'No, I think I got that ballet from somebody – I dunno. It may be my song …' [Old Time Music No 10 Autumn 1973 p 8]. Burnett did not record the song either alone or with Rutherford. An early recording that follows Burnett's printed version closely may be found on Various Artists 'Music of Kentucky Vol 2' Yazoo CD 2014: Emry Arthur 'I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow'. Burnett's printed text:

FAREWELL SONG
(Traditional/Burnett?)

I am a man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I'll bid farewell to old Kentucky
The place where I was born and raised

Oh, six long years I've been blind, friends
My pleasures here on earth are done
In this world I have to ramble
For I have no parents to help me now

So fare you well my own true lover
I fear I'll never see you again
For I am bound to ride the northern railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon the train

Oh you may bury me in some deep valley
For many years there I may lay
Oh when you're dreaming while you're slumbering
While I am sleeping in the clay

Oh fare you well to my native country
The place where I have loved so well
For I have all kinds of trouble
In this vain world no tongue can tell

Dear friends, although I may be a stranger
My face you may never see no more
But there is a promise that is given
Where we can meet on that beautiful shore

Source: As published in a broadside pamphlet by Richard Burnett of Monticello, Kentucky. 'The text appears to date from 1913, making it one of the earliest versions of this moving song' (Charles Wolfe). Reprinted in 'The Songs of Richard Burnett' Old Time Music No 10 Autumn 1973 pp 10-11.

--Stewie.