Rollins was born in New York City to parents from the United States Virgin Islands. The youngest of three siblings, he grew up in central Harlem and on Sugar Hill, receiving his first alto saxophone at the age of seven or eight. He attended Edward W. Stitt Junior High School and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem. Rollins started as a pianist, changed to alto saxophone, and finally switched to tenor in 1946. During his high school years, he played in a band with other future jazz legends Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew, and Art Taylor.
As a saxophonist he had initially been attracted to the jump and R&B sounds of performers like Louis Jordan, but soon became drawn into the mainstream tenor saxophone tradition. The German critic Joachim Berendt described this tradition as sitting between the two poles of the strong sonority of Coleman Hawkins and the light flexible phrasing of Lester Young, which did so much to inspire the fleet improvisation of bebop in the 1950s. Other tenor saxophone influences include Ben Webster and Don Byas. By his mid-teens, Rollins became heavily influenced by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. During his high school years, he was mentored by the pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, often rehearsing at Monk's apartment.
Rollins has played, at various times, a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a Buescher Aristocrat. During the 1970s he recorded on soprano saxophone for the album Easy Living. His preferred mouthpieces are made by Otto Link and Berg Larsen. He uses Frederick Hemke medium reeds.
Wagon Wheels
Sonny Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep on a-turnin', wagon wheels,
Roll along, sing your song,
Carry me over the hill.
Go 'long, mule, there's a steamer at the landin',
Waitin' for the cotton to load,
Go 'long mule, the boss is understandin'
Wagon wheels, wagon wheels,
Keep on a-turnin', wagon wheels,
Roll along, sing your song,
Wagon wheels, carry me home,
Wagon wheels, carry me home.
The song "Wagon Wheels" by Sonny Rollins tells the story of a traveler who relies on the trusty wagon wheels to carry him forward on his journey through life. The refrain "wagon wheels, wagon wheels, keep on a-turnin', wagon wheels, roll along, sing your song, carry me over the hill" speaks to the constant need for movement and momentum in life, even in the face of challenges or obstacles. The singer seems to draw strength from the rhythm and predictability of the wheels, which offer a sense of stability and continuity amid the uncertainties of the road.
The verses describe a specific journey that the singer is undertaking, with the help of a mule and a boss who understands the importance of grazing time for the animal. The singer is heading toward a landing where cotton is loaded onto a steamer, suggesting a journey through rural America during the height of the cotton trade. Overall, the song celebrates the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit, embodied in the reliable machinery of the wagon and the slow but steady pace of the mule.
Line by Line Meaning
Wagon wheels, wagon wheels,
The journey continues despite the odds and obstacles that come on the way.
Keep on a-turnin', wagon wheels,
The wheels of life continue to spin irrespective of the challenges that come in.
Roll along, sing your song,
Keep moving forward and follow your passion that inspires and motivates you.
Carry me over the hill.
Take me to my destination, helping me overcome the hurdles that we may face.
Go 'long, mule, there's a steamer at the landin',
Get going, don't stop or slow down, there's work to be done at the docks.
Waitin' for the cotton to load,
The boat is waiting for cargo so that it can leave on schedule.
Go 'long mule, the boss is understandin'
Don't worry, the boss knows that the work may take some time and he is patient.
There's a pasture at the end of the road.
There's happiness and reward waiting for us at the end of the path.
Wagon wheels, wagon wheels,
The journey continues despite the odds and obstacles that come on the way.
Keep on a-turnin', wagon wheels,
The wheels of life continue to spin irrespective of the challenges that come in.
Roll along, sing your song,
Keep moving forward and follow your passion that inspires and motivates you.
Wagon wheels, carry me home,
Take me back to where I belong, where I am loved and appreciated.
Wagon wheels, carry me home.
Take on this journey of life with me and help me reach my ultimate destination.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: HILL BILLY, PETER DE ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Stratford Dearsley
Sonny sounds amazing without a harmony instrument!
David Hubbard
Paul Stratford Dearsley And he sounds amazing with one!! Best of both worlds
Diana McQuaid
loving Sonny. Bridge practice? perfect……
wilberfloss
Swingin' 💟
alicia black
i will adore u til my least breath and my grandkids will know bout u💘💘