Cumberland Gap Lyrics


Artist: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

Album: The Nashville Sound (2017)

Songwriter: Jason Isbell

Total Time:  3:24

Structure:  V | CH | V | CH | BR | V | CH

Cumberland Gap

 

VERSE
There’s an answer here, if I look hard enough.                                         [ A ]
There’s a reason why I always reach for the harder stuff.                         [ A ]
It wasn’t my daddy’s way – he was down in the mines all day.                 [ B ]
I know he wanted more than mouths to feed and bills to pay.                [ B ]

CHORUS
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]

VERSE
I ain’t cut out for war, unless I know what I’m fighting for.                        [ D ]
And there’s nothing here but churches, bars, and grocery stores.             [ D ]
Ain’t much money in the old-time mandolin.                                             [ E ]
So I cash my check and I drink ’til I’m on my ass again.                             [ E ]

CHORUS
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]

BRIDGE
Remember when we could see the mountain’s peak?                                [ F ]
The sparkle off the amphibole?                                                                   [ C ]
Like a giant golden eagle’s beak,                                                                 [ F ]
Now they say no one wants the coal.                                                          [ C ]

VERSE
I thought about moving away, but what would my mama say?                   [ B ]
I’m all that she has left and I’m with her every day.                                      [ B ]
As soon as the sun goes down I find my way to the Mustang Lounge.       [ G ]
And if you don’t sit facing the window you could be in any town.              [ G ]

CHORUS
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.                [ C ]

 

© 2017 Southeastern Records

 

SONG STATS

 

POV | Perspective:  1st Person | Internal

BPM:   162

Times Title In Song:  9

 

—–    WORD COUNTS    —–

 

Total Word Count:  242

1 Syllable Words: 164 (68%)

3+ Syllable Words:  13 (5%)

Difficult Words: 54 (22%)

Words 7+ Characters: 34 (14%)

Words <=3 Characters: 115 (48%)

Words Appearing Only Once:  123 (51%)

 

—–    EASY TO UNDERSTAND?    —–

 

Reading Ease Score:  89.7

Reading Level:  6th Grade

 

—– WHAT MAKES THE SONG WORK SO WELL? —–

Full Song Analysis

 

 

ARTICLE

Rolling Stone review of ‘The Nashville Sound’