‘In Case I Ain't Around’ by Luke Combs - Lyrics & Meaning

Throughout Fathers & Sons, its twelve tracks take listeners through a barrage of topics and perspectives on the relationship between dads and their kids, something that Luke Combs has been gaining a lot of experience with in recent years.

Showing off more mature and introspective songwriter prowess than ever before, Combs dives in to all the parts of fatherhood that he's known so far. Most notably, he doesn't shy away from the fact that one day he'll no longer be here on earth for his sons.

The second track on the project, 'In Case I Ain't Around,' serves as a running list of life lessons, advice and reminders that Combs wishes to impart on his sons. This way, as the title suggests, were anything to ever happen to him, they can always refer back to dad's trusty guide to life.

It's a sobering take on a country music "death song," a topic that the 'Where the Wild Things Are' hitmaker has been keen to take on over the last few years.

As with the rest of the album, and much of Combs' material in recent years, 'In Case I Ain't Around' sees the same trio of co-producers behind the soundboard: Combs, Chip Matthews & Jonathan Singleton.

While some of the songs on Fathers & Sons feature some new names and co-writers not often seen in Combs' writing circle, this song is a true Combs classic with the dream team of Dan Isbell, Jamie Davis, Ray Fulcher, Reid Isbell & Luke Combs penning its moving prose.

Compared to the album's opener, 'Front Door Famous,' this track comes off as a much more southern tune with a lone fiddle forging ahead of the rest of the production. It takes form as one of Combs' signature songs with a bit of tempo plodding along and his earth rocking lower register in full view.

"I send the check for the lease every January
To 1100 Beckham Ridge Road
Have your corn knee-high by July
Where we hunt the bottom by the white-oak grove
Before you crank the tractor, pump the clutch
I ain't going nowhere no time soon, but just"

Starting from the top, Combs gives a running list of things on his monthly to do list, as well as a few tricks of the trade he's picked up over the years.

From where to send the rent check and how to drive a tractor, to tips for growing the best crops, Combs explains that he doesn't have any plans on going anywhere anytime soon, but just in case...

"In case I ain't around when you get older
I just thought I'd tell you now, so down the road, you're
All good to go through the highs and lows
And all life's up and downs
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
In case I ain't around"

Just to cover his bases in case the Lord or Mother Nature step in to take him away before his time, this song exists as a reminder and almost a letter to his little boys.

Combs' goal is to give them all the knowledge and guidance they need so that when the time comes, they'll be able to navigate the highs, lows, ups and downs in life, even without him around.

"Make sure y'all all still eat together
At your mama's after church Sunday
Throw the dog a ball, take a walk, and call
Your brother if you had a hard day
When the dogwoods bloom, ya best be fishing
When it's my time to die, boy, don't stop living"

Back to the business at hand, Combs makes a point to his boys that they should always go to their mom's house for the famous after-church lunch, and that no matter what happens between them, the pair of brothers should always be there for one another.

Emphasizing the important of spending time outside through taking a walk, fishing and playing fetch with the dog, he ends the second chorus by simply sharing that his boys, Tex and Beau, shouldn't let his death signal the end of their lives. They need to keep on living, for him.

"I just hope ya know that I'm proud of ya
I wanna make sure that you know I love ya

In case I ain't around when you get older
I just thought I'd tell you now, so down the road, you're
All good to go through the highs and lows
And all life's up and downs
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
In case I ain't around
In case I ain't around"

I send the check for the lease every January
To 1100 Beckham Ridge Road
Have your corn knee-high by July
Where we hunt the bottom by the white-oak grove
Before you crank the tractor, pump the clutch
I ain't going nowhere no time soon, but just

In case I ain't around when you get older
I just thought I'd tell you now, so down the road, you're
All good to go through the highs and lows
And all life's up and downs
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
In case I ain't around

Make sure y'all all still eat together
At your mama's after church Sunday
Throw the dog a ball, take a walk, and call
Your brother if you had a hard day
When the dogwoods bloom, ya best be fishing
When it's my time to die, boy, don't stop living

In case I ain't around when you get older
I just thought I'd tell you now, so down the road, you're
All good to go through the highs and lows
And all life's up and downs
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
In case I ain't around

I just hope ya know that I'm proud of ya
I wanna make sure that you know I love ya

In case I ain't around when you get older
I just thought I'd tell you now, so down the road, you're
All good to go through the highs and lows
And all life's up and downs
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
Yeah, that way, I'm still there for you, somehow
In case I ain't around
In case I ain't around

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