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
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%)
: 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? —–
ARTICLE