Things I have learnt from bluegrass music, Part One:
1) 'I'll hush up my mug if you fill up my jug with that good ole' [insert alcohol here] Motto for life, I'm sure we can all agree.
2) There is always a good little girl. She is from somewhere like Tennessee or Alabama. Either she has to go away, or her man has to go away. One of them might also die. This leads to heartache.
3) The exception to the above rule is when aforementioned 'good little girl'* gets a roving eye, and goes after some one else (heartbreak!) or when she wants to shack up ('when we're married we're bound together forever...let's be single just one more year').
4) Essential props in life: railroads, jails, lawmen, villains (not always interchangeable), farms, wild roses, geeeeetarrrrsss, true love.
5) Sometimes someone gets killed, and this has to be dealt with, either by running away or singing about it.
6) Restlessness is normal. The urge to wander the American wilderness is omnipresent. Some people eve further - 'just buy me a ticket around the world.' By the by, if you're at all interested in the mythology of the American highway, this is a must:
http://www.bryanappleyard.com/article.php?article_id=48
7) It's perfectly fine to sing about your parents. Particularly your mother or grandmother.
* This is the highest compliment that can be bestowed upon women, by the by. I have had it bestowed on me: 'You're a darned nice good little girl, Susannah, and Ah've always said so'. I was touched.