The band consists of Isbell (vocals, guitar); Sadler Vaden (guitar); Jimbo Hart (bass); Derry DeBorja (keys, accordion); Chad Gamble (drums).
Fiddle player and singer Amanda Shires features regularly as a session player and occasional touring member.
The band is named for the colloquial name of the psychiatric ward of Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama.
The band are credited as such on five of Isbell's eight studio full-lengths, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (2009); Here We Rest (2011); The Nashville Sound (2017); Reunions (2020); Weathervanes (2023). Though some or all of the members feature on Jason's three "solo" albums, 2007's Sirens of the Ditch, his 2013 breakthrough Southeastern, and 2015's Something More Than Free.
The band tour regularly in the United States and internationally, including and annual week of shows at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium supported by Shires and a variety of up and coming country, folk, and soul artists.
Cumberland Gap
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a reason why I always reach for the harder stuff
It wasn't my daddy's way
He was down in the mines all day
I know he wanted more than mouths to feed and bills to pay
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
I ain't cut out for war, unless I know what I'm fighting for
And there's nothing here but churches, bars, and grocery stores
Ain't much money in the old-time mandolin
So I cash my check and I drink 'til I'm on my ass again
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Remember when we could see the mountain's peak?
The sparkle off the amphibole?
Like a giant golden eagle's beak
Now they say no one wants the coal
I thought about moving away
But what would my mama say?
I'm all that she has left and I'm with her every day
As soon as the sun goes down
I find my way to the Mustang Lounge
And if you don't sit facing the window
You could be in any town
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The lyrics of Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's song Cumberland Gap reflect on the struggles of life in a small town, particularly one that is affected by the decline of the coal mining industry. The first verse suggests that the singer is searching for an answer or reason for the difficulties they face, and they turn to drinking and other vices to cope. The line "Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole" is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the town and its problems are overwhelming and all-consuming.
The second verse touches on the lack of opportunities in the town, with only churches, bars, and grocery stores to be found. The singer acknowledges that they are not cut out for war unless they know what they're fighting for, suggesting a desire for purpose and meaning in their life. They also mention the lack of money in playing an old-time mandolin, hinting at a love for music but a struggle to make a living from it.
The bridge of the song brings a nostalgic tone, reminiscing on the beauty of the town's landscape that has now been ruined by mining. The line "Now they say no one wants the coal" speaks to the decline of the industry and the resulting economic struggles for the town. Despite this, the singer admits to feeling conflicted about leaving due to their family ties and responsibilities.
Overall, the lyrics of Cumberland Gap paint a picture of a town struggling with poverty, lack of opportunity, and the decline of a once-promising industry. The repeated line "Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole" suggests a feeling of hopelessness and being trapped in the town's problems.
Line by Line Meaning
There's an answer here, if I look hard enough
The singer believes they can find a solution, but they have to be diligent in their search
There's a reason why I always reach for the harder stuff
The singer has a tendency to go for the more challenging things in life
It wasn't my daddy's way
The singer's father had a different way of doing things
He was down in the mines all day
The artist's father worked in the mines all day
I know he wanted more than mouths to feed and bills to pay
The artist believes their father desired a more fulfilling life than just working to provide for his family
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The Cumberland Gap may have a way of engulfing and consuming those who live in the area
I ain't cut out for war, unless I know what I'm fighting for
The singer is not suited for combat unless they understand the reason behind the conflict
And there's nothing here but churches, bars, and grocery stores
The area lacks significant opportunities or entertainment options
Ain't much money in the old-time mandolin
Playing traditional mandolin doesn't bring much income
So I cash my check and I drink 'til I'm on my ass again
The artist spends their earnings on excess drinking
Remember when we could see the mountain's peak?
The singer recalls a time when they could see the beauty of the mountain
The sparkle off the amphibole?
The artist recalls the shine of the mineral amphibole
Like a giant golden eagle's beak
The singer compares the shine to the beak of a large, majestic eagle
Now they say no one wants the coal
There is no longer a demand for coal in the area
I thought about moving away
The singer has considered leaving the area
But what would my mama say?
The artist is hesitant to leave because of their mother's feelings
I'm all that she has left and I'm with her every day
The artist is their mother's only companion
As soon as the sun goes down
The singer prefers going out at night
I find my way to the Mustang Lounge
The singer frequents a specific bar
And if you don't sit facing the window
The artist believes facing the window is essential at the bar
You could be in any town
If not for the window, the bar could exist in any other location
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The Cumberland Gap could have a powerful effect on one's life, making it hard to escape its grasp
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The Cumberland Gap could have a powerful effect on one's life, making it hard to escape its grasp
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The Cumberland Gap could have a powerful effect on one's life, making it hard to escape its grasp
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
The Cumberland Gap could have a powerful effect on one's life, making it hard to escape its grasp
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Michael Jason Isbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@petarrajic2581
There’s an answer here, if I look hard enough.
There’s a reason why I always reach for the harder stuff.
Wasn’t my daddy’s way, he was down in the mines all day.
I know he wanted more than mouths to feed and bills to pay.
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.
I ain’t cut out for war, unless I know what I’m fighting for.
And there’s nothing here but churches, bars and grocery stores.
Ain’t much money in the old–time mandolin
so I cash my check and I drink ’til I’m on my ass again.
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole.
Remember when we could see the mountain’s peak?
The sparkle off the amphibole? Like a giant golden eagle’s beak.
Now they say no one wants the coal.
I thought about moving away, but what would my momma say?
I’m all that she has left and I’m with her every day.
Soon as the sun goes down, find my way to the Mustang Lounge.
If you don’t sit facing the window, you could be in any town.
@mandatory210
"There's an answer here, if I look hard enough
There's a reason why I always reach for the harder stuff
It wasn't my daddy's way
He was down in the mines all day
I know he wanted more than mouths to feed and bills to pay
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
I ain't cut out for war, unless I know what I'm fighting for
And there's nothing here but churches, bars, and grocery stores
Ain't much money in the old-time mandolin
So I cash my check and I drink 'til I'm on my ass again
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Remember when we could see the mountain's peak?
The sparkle off the amphibole?
Like a giant golden eagle's beak
Now they say no one wants the coal
I thought about moving away
But what would my mama say?
I'm all that she has left and I'm with her every day
As soon as the sun goes down
I find my way to the Mustang Lounge
And if you don't sit facing the window
You could be in any town
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole
Maybe the Cumberland Gap just swallows you whole"
@wolfzr2
This guy is SO much better than ANYTHING on the radio today, shame the masses don't know....
@JammanTV
Shame yeah. Or is it ? Ive seen him play in great small venues in London, Amsterdam and Edinburgh, once solo with acoustic guitar, and even this tour after two amazing records and grammys Im seeing him at fairly small venues in London and Paris. I wish him all the success he deserves, but I also really enjoy not having to worry about fighting for tickets and being able to stand very close to the man on stage :)
@wolfzr2
Good call. Saw him from the 3rd row last night, right in front of Derry.
@aburtch
I think they're catching on...
@johnhansen1218
Hey Wolfzr...you are so right. Started listening to him at "Southeastern", Really liked "Something more than Free" too...but this harder edge is a great sound for him. Radio is a wasteland these days...
@edparrott1011
Have you listened to Sirens of the Ditch ? Great songs !
@SHarrell42069
Im born an raised 10 miles from The Gap, and this song is all about my home town. PERFECT song for around here!
@bewbies1
We are living in a golden age of indie country singers who are recovering addicts, genius songwriters, and virtuoso guitar players. and also craft beer. enjoy it, people.
@lfish21.
bewbies1 what else would you suggest listening to? I have isbell and sturgill.
@asiansplenda
John Moreland, Cory Branan, Robert Ellis, Parker Millsap... so much more!