CUMBERLAND BLUES

A geographical name with a rich history, the Cumberland being referred to in the song is

probably the Cumberland Mountains, or, possibly, the county or town (located in Harlan

County) of Cumberland, Kentucky. All place names in the region stem from the name of

the Cumberland River, which “flows through southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee,

687 miles long,” according to The American Places Dictionary. (Also according to this

source, the river was in turn named “for the county of Cumberland, England. Name made

popular by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, victor over Highlander Scots

at Culloden in 1746.”

Interestingly, Cumberland County, England, is an important mining region, principally

for iron ore, but also for coal!). Written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, it was

preformed by the Grateful Dead throughout their years together.

I can’t stay here much longer, Melinda

The sun is getting high

I can’t help you with your troubles

If you won’t help with mine

I gotta get down

Gotta get down to the mine

You keep me up just one more night

I can’t stop here no more

Little Ben clock says quarter to eight

You kept me up till four

I gotta get down

Or I can’t work there no more

Lotta poor man make a five dollar bill

Will keep him happy all the time

Some other fellow’s making nothing at all

And you can hear him cry

Can I go, buddy, can I go down

Take your shift at the mine

Gotta get down to the Cumberland mine

That’s where I mainly spend my time

Make good money, five dollars a day

If I made any more I might move away

Lotta poor man got the Cumberland Blues

Banjo Mountain