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down from cumberland

from refusing to view by david edward walker

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lyrics

Down from Cumberland

I chewed on hardtack
and tried to make my bed
where the pines help cut the wind
and winter’s chill made the world stand still
it pushed me down and then it froze me in

I walked down today through Cumberland
past a place they call ‘jump-off-rock’
with white and grey my company
except for one lonely hawk

and I tried for fish at the riverbed
but I broke my axe in two;
the only warmth my fingers know
are in my thoughts of you

there’s three more days and nights alone
with this smoky moss and loam
but I don’t believe I’m dying
I know that I am coming home

you know, winter makes me drink too much
springtime makes me dream
summer just goes by too fast
autumn traps me in-between

the winter grips my life right now
is springtime standing by?
I’m unconvinced this cold will end
or that death will pass me by

up here, I can walk for fifteen miles
and I barely hear a sound
the beating of my heart going on and on
while the sun is sinking down

so beautiful and terrible
are these icy patterns blown
but I’ve drifted around here for far too long
and I'm finally heading home

I did a dance all by myself
when I saw your cottontail run
and the squirrels and crows
there are very few of those –
who else might be looking on?

Everybody wants to get away
to where these tall pines close me in
they want to get away from everyone
that’s such a small victory to win

these mountains were my fond retreat
I am a mountain too
i've got my head in the clouds, I’m full of snow and sleet
and I'm dormant without you

you understand the instinct here –
I cannot live alone
thank God and Cumberland I see that now
and I am finally heading home

credits

from refusing to view, released December 1, 1996
david edward walker: guitar, banjo, vocal
pete peltier: fretless bass
gayelynn mckinney: drums
murray stewart jones: percussion
alicia gbur & christine kerwin: backing vocals

produced by michael king & david edward walker, recorded at the boneyard, warren, michigan, ben ridley, sound engineer

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david edward walker Indianola, Washington

"With a style that encompasses urban and rural images, rich metaphors, spiritual themes, moving ballads, and ambitious fingerstyle guitar work, David Edward Walker (aka 'David Folks') is a singer-songwriter with special ability to reach listeners on an emotional level."
~ Music Hound,
The Essential Folk Album Guide

"Spilled poetic love." ~ Dirty Linen

"Folk Hero."
~Detroit Monthly ... more

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