O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Various Artists O Brother, Where Art Thou? Lyrics
1.Po Lazarus

Performed by Carter James And The Prisoners

Well, the high sheriff
He told his deputy
Want you go out and bring me Lazarus
Well, the high sheriff
Told his deputy
I want you go out and bring me Lazarus
Bring him dead or alive,
Lawd, Lawd
Bring him dead or alive
Well the deputy he told the high sheriff
I ain't gonna mess with Lazarus
Well the deputy he told the high sheriff
Says I ain't gonna mess with Lazarus
Well he's a dangerous man
Lawd, Lawd
He's a dangerous man
Well then the high sheriff, he found Lazarus
He was hidin' in the chill of a mountain
Well the high sheriff, found Lazarus
He was hidin' in the chill of the mountain
With his head hung down
Lawd, Lawd
With his head hung down
Well then the high sheriff, he told Lazarus
He says Lazarus I come to arrest you
Well the high sheriff, told Lazarus
Says Lazarus I come to arrest you
And bring ya dead or alive
Lawd, Lawd
Bring you dead or alive
Well then Lazarus, he told the high sheriff
Says I never been arrested
Well Lazarus, told the high sheriff
Says I never been arrested
By no one man
Lawd, Lawd
By no one man
And then the high sheriff, he shot Lazarus
Well, he shot him mighty big number
Well the high sheriff, shot Lazarus
Well he shot him with a mighty big number
With a forty five
Lawd, Lawd
With a forty five
Well then they take old Lazarus
Yes they laid him on the commissary gharry
Well they taken poor Lazarus
And the laid him on the commissary gharry
He said my wounded side
Lawd, Lawd
My wounded side


2.Down to the River to Pray

Lyricist:Robert Douglas Metgar, Traditional, Robert Allen Zipkin

Performed by Alison Krauss


As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the starry crown?
Good Lord show me the way!

O sisters let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sisters let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe & crown?
Good Lord show me the way

O brothers let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
Come on brothers, let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the starry crown?
Good Lord show me the way

O fathers let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O fathers let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe and crown?
Good Lord show me the way

O mothers let's go down
Come on down, don't you wanna go down?
Come on mothers, let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studding about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the starry crown?
Good Lord show me the way

O sinners, let's go down
Let's go down, come on down
O sinners, let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the robe and crown?
Good Lord show me the way


3.I'll Fly Away

Lyricist:Albert Brumley

Performed by Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch


Some glad morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die, hallelujah, bye and bye
I'll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I'll fly away
Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly
I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory
I'll fly away in the morning
When I die, hallelujah, bye and bye
I'll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I will fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I will fly away

I will fly away oh glory
I will fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I will fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I will fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I will fly away

I will fly away oh glory
I will fly away in the morning
When I die hallelujah by and by
I will fly away
I will fly away


4.I Am Weary (Let Me Rest)

Lyricist:Peter V. Kuykendall A/k/a Pete Roberts

Performed by The Cox Family


Kiss me mother, kiss your darlin'
Lay my head upon your breast
Throw your loving arms around me
I am weary let me rest

Seems the light is swiftly fading
Brighter scenes they do now show
I am standing by the river
Angels wait to take me home

Kiss me mother, kiss your darlin'
See the pain upon my brow
While I'll soon be with the angels
Fate has doomed my future now

Through the years you've always loved me
And my life you've tried to save
But now I shall slumber sweetly
In a deep and lonely grave

Kiss me mother, kiss your darlin'
Lay my head upon your breast
Throw your loving arms around me
I am weary let me rest, I am weary let me rest


5.Big Rock Candy Mountain

Performed by Harry McClintock


One evening as the sun went down
And the jungle fires were burning,
Down the track came a hobo hiking,
And he said, 'Boys, I'm not turning
I'm headed for a land that's far away
Besides the crystal fountains
So come with me, we'll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains'

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes
And you sleep out every night
Where the boxcars all are empty
And the sun shines every day
On the birds and the bees
And the cigarette trees
The lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The winds don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
You never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol
Come trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats
And the railway bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew
And of whiskey too
You can paddle all around em
In a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin.
And you can walk right out again,
As soon as you are in.
There ain't no short-handled shovels,
No axes, saws or picks,
I'ma goin' to stay
Where you sleep all day,
Where they hung the Turk
That invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

I'll see you all this coming Fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains


6.I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow (radio station version)

Performed by Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski


I am the man of constant sorrow
I've seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to ol' 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 pleasure here on earth I've 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 fair thee well, my old true 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.
And 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 never will see no more
But there is one promise that is given,
I'll meet you on Gods golden shore

He'll meet you on God's golden shore


7.Hard Time Killing Floor Blues

Performed by Chris Thomas King


Hard time here and everywhere you go
Times is harder than ever been before

And the people are driftin' from door to door
Can't find no heaven, I don't care where they go

Hear me tell you people, just before I go
These hard times will kill you just dry long so

Well, you hear me singin' my lonesome song
These hard times can last us so very long

If I ever get off this killin' floor
I'll never get down this low no more
No-no, no-no, I'll never get down this low no more

And you say you had money, you better be sure
'Cause these hard times will drive you from door to door

Sing this song and I ain't gonna sing no more
Sing this song and I ain't gonna sing no more
These hard times will drive you from door to door


8.I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow (instrumental)

Performed by Norman Blake


9.Keep On the Sunny Side

Performed by The Whites


There's a dark & a troubled side of life
There's a bright, there's a sunny side, too
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view


cho: Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life


The storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear;
Clouds and storms will, in time, pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear.
Let us greet with the song of hope each day
Tho' the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Saviour away
Who keepeth everyone in His care


10.Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby

Performed by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch


go to sleep little babe
go to sleep little babe

your momma's gone away and your daddy's gonna stay
didn't leave nobody but the baby

go to sleep little babe
go to sleep little babe

everybody's gone in the cotton and the corn
didn't leave nobody but the baby

you're a sweet little babe
you're a sweet little babe

honey in the rock and the sugar don't stop
gonna bring a bottle to the baby

don't you weep pretty babe
don't you weep pretty babe

she's long gone with her red shoes on
gonna need another loving babe

go to sleep little babe
go to sleep little babe

you and me and the devil makes three
don't need no other lovin' babe

go to sleep little babe
go to sleep little babe

come lay bones on the alabaster stones
and be my everlovin baby


11.In the Highways

Performed by Leah, Sarah, and Hannah Peasall


In the Highways, in the hedges
I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.

If he calls me, I will answer
I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.


12.O Death

Performed by Ralph Stanley


O, Death
O, Death

Won't you spare me over til another year
Well what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands takin' hold of me
Well I am death, none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell
Whoa, death someone would pray
Could you wait to call me another day
The children prayed, the preacher preached
Time and mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet til you cant walk
I'll lock your jaw til you cant talk
I'll close your eyes so you can't see
This very air, come and go with me
I'm death I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To draw up the flesh off of the frame
Dirt and worm both have a claim

O, Death
O, Death

Won't you spare me over til another year
My mother came to my bed
Placed a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm my feet are cold
Death is a-movin upon my soul
Oh, death how you're treatin' me
You've close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin' my body
You make me cold
You run my life right outta my soul
Oh death please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you will move your icy hand
Oh the young, the rich or poor
Hunger like me you know
No wealth, no ruin, no silver no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul

O, Death
O, Death

Wont you spare me over 'til another year
Wont you spare me over 'til another year
Wont you spare me over 'til another year


13.In the Jailhouse Now

Performed by Soggy Bottom Boys & Tim Blake Nelson


I had a friend named Ramblin' Bob
He used to steal, gamble, and Rob
He thought he was the smartest guy around
Well I found out last Monday
That Bob got locked up Sunday
They've got him in the jailhouse way downtown

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Well I told him once or twice
To stop playin' cards and a-shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now

(yodel)
Ah di o-dalee eehee dee-o ti
Ah di o-dalee ee oh dee-o ti
Yodelayee-hee
Yodelayee-hee
Yodelay-eeee

Bob like to play his Poker
Pinochle, Whist and Euchre
But shootin' dice
Was his favorite game
But he got throwed in jail
With nobody to go his bail
The judge done said that he refused the fine

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Well I told him once or twice
To stop playin' cards and a-shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now

(yodel)
Ah di o-dalee eehee hee
Ah di o-dalee eehee hee
Yodelayee-hee
Yodelayee-hee
Yodelay-eeee

Well I went out last Tuesday
Met a girl named Susie
I said I was the swellest guy around
Well, we started to spendin' my money
And she started to callin' me honey
We took in every cabaret in town

We're in the jailhouse now
We're in the jailhouse now
I told that judge right to his face
I don't like to see this place
We're in the jailhouse now

(yodel)
Ah di o-dalee eehee o hee
Ah di o-dalee eehee deeo ti
Yodelayee-hee
Yodelayee-hee
Ah Yodelay-eeee


14.I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow

Performed by Soggy Bottom Boys & Dan Tyminski


(chorus) In constant sorrow through his days

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.

(chorus) 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.

(chorus) 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.

(chorus) 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.

(chorus) 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.

(chorus) He'll meet you on God's golden shore


15.Indian War Whoop (instrumental)

Performed by John Hartford


16.Lonesome Valley

Performed by The Fairfield Four


You got to go to the lonesome valley
You got to go there by yourself
Nobody else can go for you
You got to go there by yourself
Oh, you got to ask the lords forgiveness
Nobody else can ask him for you
You got to go to the lonesome valley
You got to go there by yourself
Nobody else, nobody else can go for you
You got to go there by yourself


17.Angel Band

Performed by The Stanley Brothers


My latest sun is sinking fast,
My race is nearly run
My strongest trials now are past
My triumph is begun

O come, angel band come and around me stand
O bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home
O bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home

I know I'm nearing holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear
I brush the dew of Jordan's banks
The crossing must be near

I've almost gained my heav'nly home
My spirit loudly sings
The holy ones behold they come
I hear the noise of wings

O bear my longing heart to Him
Who bled and died for me
Whose blood now cleanses from all sin
And gives me victory