Wagon Wheel
Old Crow Lyrics
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And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
Pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
Runnin' from the cold up in New England
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time string band
My baby plays the guitar
I pick a banjo now
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me now
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
But I ain't a turnin' back
To livin' that old life no more
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly
Had a nice long toke
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
And I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby callin' my name
And I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh
At least I will die free
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
The song "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Medicine Show tells the story of a traveler on a journey from the north to the south, hoping to be reunited with his lover. The first verse sets the scene for the journey, as the singer thumbs his way into North Carolina, praying to see headlights. He reflects on his journey so far, having made it down the coast in seventeen hours and picked a bouquet of dogwood flowers. He is hoping to make it to Raleigh to be with his lover.
The chorus of the song, "Rock me mama like a wagon wheel, rock me mama anyway you feel," is a plea for comfort and companionship on the road. The singer asks to be rocked like the wind and the rain and like a south-bound train, invoking the image of movement, change, and forward progress.
The second verse reveals a bit more about the singer's background, that he was born to be a fiddler in an old-time string band and that his lover plays the guitar. He is running from the cold of New England and the loss of his money gambling. He reflects that he can't go back to his old life and that he wants to be with his lover in the south.
The third verse describes a chance encounter with a truck driver on the road from Roanoke to Johnson City, Tennessee. The singer is in a hurry to get to his lover, who is calling his name. He reflects that if he dies in Raleigh, at least he will die free.
Overall, "Wagon Wheel" is a story of longing, movement, and the search for love and companionship on the road.
Line by Line Meaning
Headed down south to the land of the pines
I am traveling towards the southern parts of the country, where the pine trees grow.
And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
I am hitchhiking my way into North Carolina.
Starin' up the road
Looking ahead, searching for any signs of progress or assistance.
Pray to God I see headlights
Hoping that someone will drive my way and offer me a ride.
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
I completed a 17-hour-long journey along the coastline of the country.
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
I collected a bunch of flowers from a dogwood tree.
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
I am looking forward to arriving in Raleigh, North Carolina.
I can see my baby tonight
I am eager to meet my lover, who is waiting for me in Raleigh.
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
I request my mother to comfort me and make me feel loved, just like a smoothly moving wagon wheel.
Rock me mama anyway you feel
I ask my mother to embrace and soothe me in any way she likes.
Hey mama rock me
I repeatedly call out to my mother to hold me and guide me through life's challenges.
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
I want my mother's affection to be strong and unwavering, like the force of nature in the wind and the rain.
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
I want my mother's care to be steady and reliable, like a train heading southwards.
Hey mama rock me
I repeat my call to my mother for comfort and support.
Runnin' from the cold up in New England
I am leaving the northern and colder parts of the country.
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time string band
Playing the fiddle in a traditional string band is my natural calling and talent.
My baby plays the guitar
My lover is a skilled guitar player.
I pick a banjo now
I have learned to play the banjo, in addition to the fiddle.
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me now
The harsh winters up north continue to trouble me.
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
I lost all my money gambling and had to leave town suddenly to escape debt.
But I ain't a turnin' back
I have no intention of returning to my previous life of financial trouble and cold winters.
To livin' that old life no more
I am done with the struggles and hardships of my former life.
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I am walking towards the southern direction, away from Roanoke, Virginia.
I caught a trucker out of Philly
I got a ride from a truck driver in Philadelphia.
Had a nice long toke
I smoked marijuana with the truck driver.
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
The truck driver is headed towards the western part of the country from the Cumberland Gap.
To Johnson City, Tennessee
The truck driver is traveling towards Johnson City in Tennessee.
And I gotta get a move on before the sun
I need to continue my journey before it becomes too late in the day.
I hear my baby callin' my name
I can practically hear my lover calling out to me to come meet her.
And I know that she's the only one
I have a strong conviction that my lover is the only one for me.
And if I die in Raleigh
Even if I were to die in Raleigh,
At least I will die free
I will have lived life on my own terms and enjoyed its freedom, which is important to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philipdennis-rh7uj
That voice is called the high lonesome and you can only sing it if you've lived it
@elijahguffey2594
Had a friend in the Marine Corps that loved this song and played it any chance he got. He ended up taking his life after our desperate to change his mind. Anyways a year goes by and a bunch of Marines and I are visiting some family in Maryland. Someone pulled out a guitar and in our drunken emotional states we all yelled this song into the wind as loud as we could. Probably 15-20 people yelling for our buddy, all drunk and crying. I come here every day for him and I can always smell the east coast ocean and pines. Rest in Peace 1994-2015
@jimbrickwall8307
RIP warrioir.
@jimmydiresta
Wow that’s touching 👊🏼
@douglasstudeman5531
Thank You for your service. I spent four years in the U.S. ARMY myself.
@steph8703
Damn man I'm sorry🥺 I lost my 2 best friends, I understand that pain 😔 😢 sending u love, these comments r getting me emotional af lol
@atox4957
Man, that’s young. Sorry for your friend, friend.
@GrassPossum
When I found out I'm dying, this became my greatest comfort. Now I've been given a little bit more time, it remains my favorite.
@MORiverFishing
Have you ever heard Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra's version of All My Tears? It's beautiful and I bet it would give you some comfort as well. Check it out.
https://youtu.be/iMbbTQrC41o?si=R0IV2pKddRh2DYTr
@chrystalgail
I will pray for you