He is likely best known for the song "Man of Constant Sorrow," which was featured in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? and won the 2001 CMA award for best single as well as a Grammy Award for best Country Collaboration with Vocals (along with Harley Allen and Pat Enright, filling out the vocals for the movie's Soggy Bottom Boys). In total, he has won 10 Grammy awards for solo and collaborative projects.
Tyminski was born June 20, 1967 in Rutland, Vermont and plays a bluegrass style that blends traditional and pop traditions. Before becoming a member of Union Station in 1994, Tyminski played mandolin and sang in the Lonesome River Band. Though Tyminski's love and feel for traditional bluegrass didn't come from growing up in the southern Appalachians, he absorbed and learned the music just the same. He credits his brother Stan with getting him hooked on the guitar and mandolin at the age of 6. While Stan was in the Navy and home on leave, he left his mandolin with his younger brother.
While in high school Dan and his brother formed a band called Green Mountain Bluegrass. Dan played the banjo with that band for nearly five years. In fact, Dan says that he was primarily a banjo player from the time he was twelve until he was in his early twenties. When he was twenty-one, Dan was hired to play mandolin in the Lonesome River Band. When asked how he landed that job, Dan said, "It was a word-of-mouth thing. We ended up playing some shows at the same venue and when the position came up for a musician, one of the guys in the band recommended to Tim (Austin) that they give me a call." Dan played the mandolin with the Lonesome River Band for about five years.
While he was still with the Lonesome River Band, Dan got a call from Alison Krauss.
Tyminski attributes his love for traditional bluegrass to such musicians and singers as Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Larry Sparks and Jimmy Martin.
Dan Tyminski plays Martin and Bourgeois guitars and Sim Daley mandolins. Dan also has three kids, Kathryn, Chris, and John. His wife is named Elise. (pronounced E-lees-a)
Dan Tyminski and Ron Block played together at the 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival. They performed "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Road to Nash Vegas".
Dan is also known for the vocals on the song Hey Brother by Avicii
wheels
Dan Tyminski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Best if I forget the way I'm riding.
Heading down a one-way track, wind is cold upon my back,
Rumblin of this old steel rail don't die.
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Change of scenery just might help this time.
Watchin' daylight turn to black, long since smoked up my last pack,
Dreamed of one day getting off this line.
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Saw them come and saw them go, saw them frozen from the cold,
When I'm getting off myself I don't know.
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Whe - - - - - - - - els
Whe - - - - - - - - els
The lyrics to Dan Tyminski's song "Wheels" seem to tell the story of a traveler who is feeling lost and alone, riding a train down a one-way track with no idea where he's headed. He's got nothing but his clothes and is seemingly resigned to forget the way he's riding. The wind is cold against his back as he listens to the rumbling of the train on its steel rails, which seems to be the only constant in his life. He reflects on his life choices and the games he's played, always ending up losing and having to start over again. He hopes that a change of scenery might help him this time, but his journey seems endless. He dreams of one day getting off this line but has no idea when that might happen. The repetition of "Wheels" at the end of each verse seems to highlight the endless cycle and journey that the main character is on.
Overall, the song seems to be a poignant reflection on the human condition, with its themes of lostness, loneliness, and the seemingly never-ending cycle of hope and disillusionment that we often experience. It's a reminder that while we may feel lost at times, we're never truly alone in our journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
Where I'm bound nobody knows, ain't got nothing but my clothes,
I'm traveling with no clear destination and without much belongings.
Best if I forget the way I'm riding.
It would be better if I don't dwell on the direction of my journey.
Heading down a one-way track, wind is cold upon my back,
I'm moving forward on a path with no other options and the conditions are harsh.
Rumbling of this old steel rail don't die.
The sound of the train tracks is a constant reminder of my circumstances.
Playing games I could not win, always anted up again,
I kept making bets despite knowing I would lose, hoping for a change in my circumstances.
Change of scenery just might help this time.
A new location might provide a fresh start and hope for my future.
Watching daylight turn to black, long since smoked up my last pack,
I'm watching time pass and running out of resources along the way.
Dreamed of one day getting off this line.
I had a dream of escaping my current situation and moving on from this journey.
Saw them come and saw them go, saw them frozen from the cold,
I witnessed others go through similar struggles and hardships along the way.
When I'm getting off myself I don't know.
I'm unsure of when or how I'll be able to exit this journey and move on with my life.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@boomhauerfan1
Yeah......Dan Tyminski... His voice is like an angel calling me from the dark abyss I call my life..
@kevinberry2313
Still listen to this cd
@samhalemba
Saw this on CMT as a kid and always remembered it. Great song and awesome video.
@BitterTait
Perfect mix of banjo uke fiddle and lyrics. And damnit if I don't love trains
@mcoram3486
Awesome songwriter also! Love some Dougle!
@davnkatz
When I saw the title, I thought this was going to be an update of the" Wheels" instrumental so popular in late 1950's - I was a teenager then. Although it was not the song I expected, I was pleasently surprised. The clackety-klack of the train wheels set it up, & your rhythm kept it going. I like stuff like that, and your vocals had me on the edge of my chair with a big smile on my face.
@frankwilson3740
Awesome tune 😁
@biguglybuilders
Love this video
@MikeyBAAZ
Great album dan tyminski fan with union station
@biguglybuilders
Awesome