Cora Is Gone

Flatt And Scruggs · Other Songs - Flatt And Scruggs

The wind through the night is blowing so lonesome

Singing to me a song

A whippoorwill call is just a reminder

Pretty girls have hearts made of stone

I'll wake with the blues at dawn

My darling, Cora is gone

I don't know why she told me goodbye

But my darling, Cora is gone

The ring that she wears I bought for her finger

Purchased her raiment so fine

Gave her my last green back dollar

And now she's left me behind

I'll wake with the blues at dawn

My darling, Cora is gone

I don't know why she told me goodbye

But my darling, Cora is gone

Drifting along like a brush on a river

Caring not where I roam

Going to live in a deep forest

Dark hollow will be my new home

I'll wake with the blues at dawn

My darling, Cora is gone

I don't know why she told me goodbye

But my darling, Cora is gone

Cora Is Gone

Flatt and Scruggs' "Cora Is Gone" stands as a quintessential example of bluegrass storytelling, blending traditional acoustic instrumentation with a narrative driven by personal loss. Recorded in the mid-1960s, the track exemplifies the duo's mastery of the mandolin and banjo, delivering a poignant account of a woman's disappearance that resonated deeply within the Appalachian folk tradition. The song reflects the era's focus on rural life and the emotional weight of separation, characteristic of the artists' broader discography which often explored themes of love, hardship, and the American South. Its enduring popularity highlights the power of Scruggs' melodic phrasing and Flatt's rhythmic drive to transform regional tales into timeless musical works.