The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
Cumberland Gap
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Lay down boys take a little nap,
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Lay down boys and take a little nap,
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, it ain't nowhere
Thirteen miles from Middlesburg
Cumberland Gap, it ain't nowhere
Thirteen miles from Middlesburg
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Play it pretty, Sonny
Hey, hey, ho-ho-ho
Play it again
Mighty pretty
As I was a'going down the road
I met that terrapin and I met that toad
Then that time the terrapin sing
Oh, don't touch that pigeon wing
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
The Osborne Brothers' song, Cumberland Gap, is a traditional folk song that tells the story of a journey to the Cumberland Gap, which is a narrow passage through the Appalachian Mountains. The song begins by repeating the phrase "Cumberland Gap" four times, creating a sense of the repetition and monotony that can be experienced on a long journey. The lyrics then explain that the Cumberland Gap is 17 miles away, and suggest that the travelers lay down and take a nap before continuing on the journey.
The song then repeats the phrase "Cumberland Gap" four more times, before stating that the gap is "nowhere" and 13 miles from Middlesburg. This suggests that the journey is uncertain and the travelers may not know exactly where they are going. The song then repeats the phrase "Cumberland Gap" four more times, concluding with a playful exchange between the lead singer and the banjo player, encouraging him to play the tune again.
Overall, the lyrics of Cumberland Gap paint a vivid picture of a journey through the Appalachian Mountains, highlighting the challenges of such a journey and the uncertainty that is often involved. Despite this, the song has a playful and upbeat tone, reminding listeners to enjoy the journey and take pleasure in the music along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
The Cumberland Gap is being referenced.
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
The distance from the Cumberland Gap is being stated.
Lay down boys take a little nap,
Take a rest before continuing the journey.
Lay down boys and take a little nap,
Rest is important.
Cumberland Gap, it ain't nowhere
The Cumberland Gap may seem insignificant.
Thirteen miles from Middlesburg
The distance from Middlesburg is being stated.
Play it pretty, Sonny
Sonny is being encouraged to play music beautifully.
Hey, hey, ho-ho-ho
A vocal exclamation with no real significance.
Play it again
Repeat the music.
Mighty pretty
The music is beautiful.
As I was a'going down the road
A tale is about to be told.
I met that terrapin and I met that toad
Encountering animals on the journey.
Then that time the terrapin sing
The terrapin made a sound.
Oh, don't touch that pigeon wing
An unusual warning to not disturb something irrelevant.
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
The Cumberland Gap is being referenced again.
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
The distance from the Cumberland Gap is being reiterated.
Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap
The Cumberland Gap continues to be referenced.
Seventeen miles from the Cumberland Gap
The distance from the Cumberland Gap is again stated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind