Chris Knight - Enough Rope Lyrics






Well I work for the city in the town where I grew up
Some days I run a backhoe some days I run a dump
If I had other plans on my graduation day
Then several years ago I guess I hauled 'em all away
Yeah I hauled 'em all away

She told me she was pregnant on the day I turned 18
I did what your supposed to do. I bought her a ring
He didn't have to ask us, but he asked us anyway
We stood up and said, "I do." what else were we gonna say?
What else were we gonna say?

Well I'm thankful for the things I have
And all the things I don't
And I've got dreams that will come true
And I've got some that won't
Most the time I just walk the line wherever it goes
'Cause you can't hang yourself if you ain't got enough rope

My boss man is mad. I did just what he asked
I mowed the courthouse lawn watched the prisoners walkin' past
I'm happy to be working, instead of wearin' chains
Like my cousin Willy, he's locked up in the grange
He's locked up in the grange

But I'm thankful for the things I have
And all the things I don't
And I've got dreams that will come true
I've got some that won't
Most the time I just walk the line wherever it goes
'Cause you can't hang yourself if you ain't got enough rope

There's a tavern down the highway, I go to drink some beers
And wash down all I'm missin' by hangin' around here
Then I drive back to the trailer; I'll makeup with my wife
I kiss my sleeping children, and I get on with my life
Yeah I get on with my life





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Chris Knight Enough Rope Comments
  1. L.... O....

    Trying to nail his version of Travis picking I slowed the video down. It’s hilarious. “I woooorrrrlkkkkkkkkk forrrrthaaaaaaaaa sit teeeeeeeeeeeeeee” Speeding it up makes me wanna do punk rock covers of his songs.

  2. K.... B....

    The story of my life.

  3. S.... S....

    Good god. What a songwriter

  4. K.... L....

    Some folks call it a sling blade, I call it a kaiser blade mmmm.

  5. S.... F....

    The introduction was difficult; and I must admit it was good to see him change chords, although it took as long as his introduction.

    The lyrics are good—the music, childish.

    "That's all I have to say about that." —Forrest

  6. R.... B....

    Awesome song writer!

  7. H.... H....

    Interviewer is M O I S T

  8. j.... w....

    So much better than the recorded version.

  9. B.... D....

    Wow sucks

  10. l.... ....

    This song is so painful.

  11. b.... m....

    One of my favorites!!!

  12. J.... R....

    Most people who claim themselves as “musical artist’s” couldn’t see Chris Knight with a magnifying glass. RAW talent.

  13. T.... M....

    He doesn’t use standard tuning much, does he

  14. p.... ....

    Trust me she ruined that chair

  15. J.... ....

    Come back to this one every so often. Thanks Chris

  16. W.... P....

    Thanks Mr Knight!

  17. d.... ....

    Just an amazing performance! He’s a true artist. This is how you “tell” a story.
    I’m proud of my friends who made this cover of Mr. Knight’s house and 90 acres: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9IHIIz9kVCs&feature=youtu.be

  18. D.... R....

    The best

  19. b.... m....

    I love the end. Chris is so smashed. he just keeps holding the chord in place lmao

  20. m.... ....

    Almost a hundred accidental downvotes by some fellers that were drunk or crying at the time -- or both. Easy to do when a song hits real close to home like this one.

    And a belated thanks for posting the video. I've watched it hundreds of times over the years, and it never gets old.

  21. P.... ....

    HUGE talent, HUGE talent. I swear to god Chris is the most underrated song writer of the past 50 years. He is my second favorite song writer, first being Jason Isbell. If you have never heard of Jason Isbell, do yourself a favor and go check him out cause you in for a treat man!

    P.... ....

    Thanks for the recommendation of Jason Isbell! Loving what I'm hearing so far....

  22. K.... S....

    Very moving.

  23. s.... ....

    This is the song that really made me pick up a pen and paper and guitar. The man is ranked up in the upper echelons of song writing history. He writes so close to millions of Americans life’s and relates to the Americana soul in such a unique and charismatic way. I’ll be going to see him live tonight for the 4th time. Each time, after every show, he goes down and meets his fans and signs his memorabilia for them.

  24. Y.... W....

    He's like a young Kris Kristofferson

  25. P.... S....

    outlaw country is awesome

  26. G.... B....

    This guy should be a legend. Great songs and lots of them. See him every time he plays NYC.

  27. N.... B....

    Just became a big fan

  28. P.... t....

    Wow...AMAZING!!!

  29. D.... R....

    Yea rock n roll crush country

  30. J.... S....

    Great, great great!!!

  31. P.... D....

    The average person really doesn't get how great he is. He is a master songwriter. His raw and edgy delivery and kentucky accent make his music brilliant. I got to meet him and hang out with him and Birmingham Alabama at Workplay theater. He's just a real guy loaded with Talent. I told him he was the reason I started songwriting and pursue my career in music. He was very humbled. He wished me the best and that meant a lot.

    P.... D....

    Congratulations on the song "Never You"! What an inspiration and amazing story. Great Job! 👊 👏👏

    P.... D....

    If you’re from Alabama and he was one of the reasons you started writing independent country you and I have that in common. When I was 17 I listened to a lot of folk and I moved to Douglasville, Ga to help my uncle run his sports store and he played Chirs Knight’s first 3 albums and I haven’t stopped listen to damn good country music since.

  32. N.... B....

    Just came across Chris. Converted....proper music.

  33. r.... p....

    Fucking eerie

  34. B.... R....

    pretty much greatest fucking song ever written.

  35. F.... ....

    One of the few Chris Knight songs where nobody dies.

  36. F.... S....

    I was able to hangout with him before and after one of his concerts. One of the nicest and genuine person I've ever met. His songs are stories and they are about as good as you can get.

  37. g.... ....

    This is better than the fake Bruce Springsteen stuff

  38. B.... T....

    i bet he hit it..

  39. J.... ....

    Song makes me smile. I can relate Chris......

  40. b.... ....

    The Real Deal!

  41. G.... M....

    absolutely love this song!

  42. G.... A....

    Love to hear him. He speaks like folks in our region. What a blessing to get to hear him every time I get on the computer.

  43. b.... m....

    definitely my favorite artist and never get tired of replaying his songs everyday.keep being true chris.

  44. J.... W....

    By far, my favorite artist. Can't wait to see him live.

  45. D.... W....

    amazing!

  46. J.... G....

    hope you banged her

  47. h.... ....

    51 people ain't living right

    h.... ....

    exactly

    h.... ....

    absolutely right. Unfortunately it is now 58.

  48. C.... S....

    Chris Knight is fuckin amazing period

  49. t.... ....

    sounds a little like Carl from the movie Slingblade but great song

    t.... ....

    You reckon?

  50. M.... M....

    If that is the edge of country........I would hate to see what they think is country these days.......

    M.... M....

    +Matt Miller This was in 2008

  51. T.... G....

    Prolific songwriter...Tremendous talent.

  52. t.... w....

    damn that's good

  53. P.... M....

    Sounds like JohnMellencamp trying to be JohnPrine...you might think i am dismissing this...i think he is great..love his music...love his voice...found him on Pandora if he gets out to SF..i will find him..going to see Hayes Carll...think i found him on that station...love that some country is still great...

    P.... M....

    Wrong. Sounds like Chris Knight, being Chris Knight. And there ain't a damned thing wrong with that...

    P.... M....

    His writing paints the perfect picture of hard, real living in the poor Mid-South. Anyone from rural parts of this region can identify perfectly with his writing. He is original like no other.

    P.... M....

    I always thought he sounds like what you'd get if John Mellencougarcamp and Steve Earl had a love-child. And that's a GOOD thing!

    P.... M....

    Kyle Scoggins I like Steve Earle, John Mellencamp, & John Prine. Chris is every bit an individual artistically as any of these guys. He's DAMN GOOD PERIOD!

    P.... M....

    Patrick McGlynn He Talks like Carl Childers, too!

  54. J.... S....

    good song thanks for writing it

  55. M.... G....

    I love Chris Knight and his music---back in mid-April I saw him do a show solo at a cool but appropriately, "divey" venue called Oddbody's in Dayton, Ohio.  He had four or five guitars with him on the stage----but in that roughly two hours he played---he only used two of his acoustic Gibsons, tuning them up or down, putting Capos on as needed to play each song and other than (for a time) some assholes who were there more to socialize with the rest of those at their tables, he just didn't pay a lick of attention and just played through many of the songs in his songbook. Once the rude idiots gave up and either left or went to the back of the bar, it was great. There were maybe a hundred people, who got close to the stage and we all just watched and listened to Chris go play his music. After the show---I did ask him if he was working on any new material for a new release and he said that he has some songs he is working on, hoping to get into the studio either later this year or early next to cut another "album." I sure hope that this is true. While I love all of Chris' past work, I am ready for some new stuff--my god there has been some great new music coming out by artists of all sorts and new people coming on the scene playing "Americana/Outlaw Music" lately.

  56. C.... N....

    Beat this. I dare you. Takes me back to my childhood. And I'l fight the Devil himself to keep that memory.

    C.... N....

    C Norman try some Shawn James

    C.... N....

    scottfinns I love Shawn James as well!

  57. m.... m....

    I'm thankful for the things I have AND ALL THE THINGS I DON'T.......AMEN!!!!!

  58. L.... ....

    You got any french fried taters? Mhm.

  59. s.... ....

    I have almost all of his albums,great stuff! He's too good for country radio. Comparing him to Jason Aldean is like having a seven course meal next to a lunchable. Chris Knight is the seven course meal,the real deal.

    s.... ....

    hey don’t hate on my man jason like that he’s the best one in the radio lmao chris is still better tho 😂

    s.... ....

    Closer to Isbell than Aldean.

    s.... ....

    Member lunchables deluxe with mustard and a andies mint? I member

    s.... ....

    Jason aldean is as country as my balls are clean

  60. G.... W....

    Salute, mister...thats good, thank you.

  61. S.... S....

    One of the great "unknowns" of country music. It don't get much better than Chris.

  62. W.... S....

    America's greatest song writing talent! Awesome live, and if the full band is with, even better.

    W.... S....

    I love Chris but have you heard Fred Eaglesmith or Walt Wilkins. Two other powerhouses of Americana/Country songwriting. Check 'em out!

    W.... S....

    Thanks. I will. Always on the lookout for great music.

  63. J.... H....

    how is this guy not huge! been listening for years. Easily as good or better than anything on the radio.

    J.... H....

    Obviously much better than radio country. Radio country is built for drunk girls and guys to sing at the bar. The content of Mr. Knight's songs are not so easily palpable for the uncultured music listener. There's no cliche here, just heart wrenching life experience. Ive met Chris for a brief moment, he's the real deal.

    J.... H....

    @Jesse Renfrew Yeah--Chris Knight writes REAL MUSIC that reflects the REAL LIVES of REAL PEOPLE, with all the messiness that entails, especially in these "times gone mean.' No empty flag waving, boys in their hats and their spanking new, raised up Chevy Silverados going to party with the Daisy Duke wearing "country honey" booty girls in their mid riff baring flannel shirts and cowboy boots who are all hotter than hell giving pouty poses and shaking their booties,( as good as they might look)---that is not the reality of most people who are "country." These days out in the hinter lands, many of those people are lucky they have a pot to piss in and they are even at an early age, getting heavy because they can only afford to eat "cheap food" and if the guy is lucky enough to have a truck--its not a new fancy one---it is a 1999 beater Chevy, Ford or Dodge, being held together with "duct tape and bailing wire." Chris Knight sings songs about people who live in places like "an oil patch town" not the rich 'burbs of cities like Louisville, Charlotte, Nashville, etc.

  64. J.... O....

    a song thats so true

  65. J.... B....

    don't wanna sound like a b-hole, but this needs an HD version.

  66. E.... N....

    CK writes 4 minute short stories. 

  67. D.... W....

    This is what country music is supposed to be. It's truly sad that you won't hear this guy or anything like this on country radio. Speaking of country radio, listen to AM Country Heaven, it's about the truth :)

    D.... W....

    @Danielle Watson Also listen to WDVX-FM which streams their station at www.wdvx.com It is a great, totally independent station in the Knoxville, TN area playing mostly Americana music, but also other sorts of independent, "alt music." A great station---"East Tennessee's Own----WDVX……." Give it a try…..

    D.... W....

    Michael Garrity
    Caught onto this station when I worked in Knoxville. Love it

    D.... W....

    I love Jason Eady. He recently played a show near me that I regret having missed

    D.... W....

    I miss this type of country

  68. J.... H....

    This is pure talent

    J.... H....

    Amen brother. Just seen him live for the frst time. Pure Greatness!!!!!!

  69. R.... ....

    Never be on CMT or GAC in Amerika

  70. S.... H....

    THE FEEEELLLLLSSSSS!!!!!!

  71. G.... M....

    Brilliant!

  72. L.... A....

    Just saw him for the 1st time in Kansas City >>>shout out 2 KNUCKLEHEADS for having him play there he is simple and AMAZING !! a brilliant mind could only kick out these songs ....

  73. C.... M....

    I'm ashamed to say that until recently I didn't know anything about chris knight. And this guys been around for a long time apparently. I grew up and live in Kentucky and come from a country family but I disregarded country music a long time ago, thinking it was little more than pop music with shiny boots and a manufactured southern drawl. I have rarely heard as soulful a singer or better songwriter/storyteller. Thank you chris for renewing my faith in country music!

  74. A.... L....

    Manager: "What song are you gonna sing to a National audience Chris?"
    Chris: "Enough Rope. You know, that one about being too poor to hang myself."

    A.... L....

    It’s not about being poor. I’m assuming the subject is poor, but that’s not the point.

  75. s.... ....

    I like chris knight but i think i would have to knock the shit outta him for writing a song like this about me.

  76. M.... M....

    follows she talks to angels too closely for me to focus on his lyrics

  77. j.... ....

    cautionary tale for you youngsters, pull out and come on those titties.

  78. c.... h....

    I love Chris knight but jj sings and writes most his songs and he's still my favorite

  79. S.... A....

    So true. So true.

  80. N.... Z....

    Big fan of chris, I need to go see him.

  81. k.... b....

    hey chris. i havent seen you in a while i talked to your brother kim not to long ago.

  82. a.... ....

    real county song writing there my friends!

  83. j.... w....

    the 20 people that disliked this video need to take a refresher course in what an underground singer song writer is supposed to be

  84. J.... Q....

    TRUE RAW COUNTRY

  85. R.... W....

    my all time favorite singer songwriter

  86. T.... A....

    Dan, I think that is hands down the funniest comment i ever read on Youtube, I laughed so damn hard....Thanks for posting that!

  87. B.... H....

    He's such a laid back cool guy. I wish we were buddies

  88. A.... Y....

    love the music but lost all respect after this nashville stunt....i've never seen a woman with that long hair that has that much crap in it it doesn't move at all....loss of fan

  89. b.... ....

    The views on this video is got to be wrong because ive got to have watched it 300,000 myself!!!!!!!!!!!

  90. D.... M....

    This guy is so good i wouldn't bootleg is music.

  91. J.... ....

    He definately took a great deal of this from "The River." Maybe he didn't even realize it when he wrote it. Still a fantastic song.

  92. T.... O....

    Chris is my favorite songwriter of all time...

  93. n.... ....

    Love it....Bruce + steve earle but not a rip off so good

  94. J.... W....

    One of the other thangs that's makes me proud to be a kentuckian!

  95. B.... H....

    I do believe that Chris knight is one of the best song writers of all time... When I head him sing about my home town it blew me away.. This in turn inspired me to start writing music.. So thanks Chris knight

  96. z.... ....

    Hey,...Bruce Springsteen stole this on The River.

  97. g.... ....

    Yes. The Heart of Country. Amen