Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji, banjo by TheSessionGuy. This is an Appalachian folk song attested as early as the late 1800's, with many diverse variations, not only in melody but in lyrical content, some being war songs from the Civil War, others telling the story of the first Englishman to set foot in the Cumberland Gap, etc. My arrangement is a pretty minimal one using the basic sounds of Appalachian folk and Bluegrass music, with the banjo reflecting the complex, melodically and harmonically rich forms of playing found in these traditions.

Lyrics:
Lay down boys and take a little nap,
We’re all goin’ down to Cumberland Gap.

Lay down boys and take a little nap,
Snow knee-deep in Cumberland Gap.

Cumberland Gap’s a devil of a place;
Couldn’t find water to wash my face.

Me and my wife’s pap,
Walked all the way from Cumberland Gap.

Pretty little girl if you don’t care,
I’ll leave my demijohn a-sittin right there

If it ain’t there when I get back,
I’ll raise hell in Cumberland Gap.

Lay down boys and take a little rest,
We’ll all wake up in a whippoorwill’s nest.

Me and my wife and my little chap
Made a good living on Cumberland.

Saved my money and bought me a farm
Raised sweet taters as long as your arm.