The Sons of the Pioneers are an American cowboy singing group founded in 19… Read Full Bio ↴The Sons of the Pioneers are an American cowboy singing group founded in 1933 by Leonard Slye (better known by his later screen name Roy Rogers), with Tim Spencer and Bob Nolan. They were soon joined by others including Karl Farr, Hugh Farr, Lloyd Perryman,and Pat Brady They remained popular into the 1950s. A group with the name is still in existence today (2003) and gives occasional concerts in Branson, Missouri and other spots. Although best known as an actor, Ken Curtis was a member of the Sons from 1949 until 1953.

The Sons of the Pioneers did several songs for the John Ford movies Wagon Master (in 1949) and Rio Grande in (1950).

The six members who made the Sons of the Pioneers famous in the late 1930s with their close-harmonied western style music were elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1995, they were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

In 1977, the Smithsonian designated the Sons of the Pioneers as "national treasures". Through many changes to the line-up, the Sons of the Pioneers have continued to perform.

Wagon Wheels
Sons Of The Pioneers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
Keep on a-turnin' (turnin') wagon wheels
Roll along (rollin' rollin' rollin') sing your son
Carry me over the hill (carry me over the hill)

Roll on mule there's a steamer at the landin'
Waitin' for this cotton to load
Roll on mule the boss is understandin'

There's a pasture at the end of each road

Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
Keep on a-turnin' (turnin') wagon wheel
Roll along sing your song
Wag-on wheels carry me hooooome

Wagon wheels carry me home
(Wagon wheels carry me home)

Overall Meaning

The song "Wagon Wheels" by the Sons of the Pioneers is a depiction of the old west era where wagons were the principal mode of transport over long distances. The chorus of the song repeatedly emphasizes the rolling of the wagon wheels, while the verses describe the experiences of cowboys as they move across the country. The lyrics of the first verse tell the story of the cowboy's long journey towards the landings, where his cotton is being loaded on a steamer. The mule has to roll tirelessly until they reach the shipment site. The second verse highlights the cowboy's appreciation for his boss, who understands that pastures are the end goal for each journey, rather than the cattle drives.

Through the chorus, the singer of the song (the cowboy) longs for the wagon wheels to carry him over the hill and to his home. Thus, the song emphasizes the journey and the appreciation of the hard work of cowboys during this period to deliver goods from one place to another.

Line by Line Meaning

Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
The wagon wheels are constantly turning, symbolizing the endless journey of life.

Keep on a-turnin' (turnin') wagon wheels
The wheels must keep turning to continue the journey and overcome life's obstacles.

Roll along (rollin' rollin' rollin') sing your song
The wagon wheels provide a rhythm to which a song can be sung, indicating the importance of finding joy in the journey.

Carry me over the hill (carry me over the hill)
The wagon wheels are instrumental in carrying the singer over the hill, which represents overcoming a difficult challenge.

Roll on mule there's a steamer at the landin'
The singer is urging the mule to keep moving, despite the temptation to rest, because there is important business to attend to at the river landing.

Waitin' for this cotton to load
The cargo being transported is cotton, implying that the singer is a farmer or sharecropper transporting their crop for sale.

Roll on mule the boss is understandin'
The singer suggests that their boss is lenient and understanding, implying that they have a positive relationship and work environment.

There's a pasture at the end of each road
The singer emphasizes that there is always hope and opportunity at the end of each journey, despite the challenges faced along the way.

Wagon wheels (rollin' rollin' rollin') wagon wheels
Repeated phrase symbolizing the constant turning of the wheels and the journey of life.

Wag-on wheels carry me hooooome
The singer is asking the wagon wheels to carry them safely home, emphasizing the importance of a safe return after a challenging journey.

Wagon wheels carry me home (Wagon wheels carry me home)
The repeated phrase reinforces the request for the wagon wheels to continue carrying the singer safely back home.

Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@TheTexasTrainMaster

That's a classic one of my personal favorites I'm a huge fan of Roy Rogers his music his film and his TV show he is still the king of cowboy God bless him

@grantshields2393

5y↑2

Reminds me of my Grandfather taking me to his house 3 hours away in his truck. He had his songs including this one and I loved them so much.Its the little things that matter.He just passed on Thursday and I haven't been the same.Great song.

@myaspa

10y↑17

Brings back memories from the late 70's early 80's. My uncle in LA sent a 33 RPN album including this song to my father. This became one of my father's and my top favorites. I remember how my father would smile when at the end that low bass voice would sing "Wagon Wheels Carry Me Home". Now my father and all except one of his 9 siblings are already dead. All that is left are good memories of a place and time that can no longer be repeated.

@jennifursun3303

10y↑3

have those memories too i grew up with these guys my dad and mom were fans. now all of my family except one brother is gone. happy memoires indeed God Bless

@deeremeyer1753

I don't remember the specifics but I saw the Sons of the Pioneers at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, NE in the late 1970s. I was 4 or 5 maybe.

@frederickwise5238

My memories go farther back than that. Title song in a Randolph Scott movie in 1934 (I didnt see it then but....it made the rounds again in the 40's)
That movie was one of the many dime westerns we kids watched in the town movie theater during the war. .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oScJ4wYdbm8

@mazdaman2315

It brings back memories for me as well my grandfather sung this to my dad when he was little and my father sung this to me when I was little so it’s as least as old as 1934 as that’s when my grandfather sung it to my dad

@longboarder771

12y↑3

I had this on a 78rpm shellac disc, I used to play it on on an old wind up gramophone that had been handed down to me by my grandparents when I was a kid. Somehow we lost the gramophone & and all the old wax records years ago. I haven't heard this since around 1958 ! I loved it as a small boy, probably because I loved old Westerns & still do. Absolutely delighted to hear it again after all these years. Thanks for posting it.

@claverpinto

11y↑1

My dad sang this song for me when I was little, and, it holds beautiful memories. Beautiful rendition.

@frederickwise5238

Written for (or used by ?) a movie of the same name "Wagon Wheels, a 1934 Western" with Randolph and Gail Patrick leading characters.
watched "reruns" as a kid in the 40's.

@CrownTown10

7y↑1

Here's to Big Jack McCarthy. He sung this to his little girl when he came back from WW2. She then sang it to our sons. What a great wife.

@Diosprometheus

This song can be heard in the 1934 movie "Wagon Wheels" with Randolph Scott. "Wagon Wheels" is a Western song written by Billy Hill and Peter DeRose in the early 1930s. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

@sonofthefirelordozai

14y↑2

7.326 views. 1000 from me I bet. I hear it every night when I#m going asleep. Love it

@lesliedalward4928

8y↑2

Yes, definitely Hugh Farr on bass. I also hear Lloyd Perryman on this version. He was with the Pioneers from 1947 until his death in 1977 and appeared on nearly every recording from 1950 - 1969.

@deeremeyer1753

7y↑1

The bass part at the end gives me goosebumps. That man had some PIPES. I'm a pretty strong baritone but I always wanted to hit the low notes. Once in a while I can but nothing like that.

@musicmandon1

13y↑1

Been looking for this. Mom had an LP with this on it, and I think a 45 also. The B side was, if I remember right, "Empty Saddles in the Old Corral." both great songs.

@mrmjb1960

12y↑1

This was from their "Living Stereo RCA Victor Lp issued in 1959,"Cool Water"!

@dannymcclusky2134

LOVE THE COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC

@musicmandon1

13y↑1

Excellent, and in great shape. Had it on a vinyl LP when I was a small boy. will look for "Empty Saddles," which was also on that same albbum.

@RBobLee1958

9y↑2

This is a 1959 recording. Tommy Doss is the lead singer. Bob Nolan had retired from the group. Written by Billy Hill and Peter DeRose. (Not Roy Rogers).

@sealyoness

7y↑2

I learned to play the piano on this song.

@robertszvetics210

9y↑8

why would you laugh at this song your humor escapes me

@kimberlygallella104

8y↑1

+robert szvetics Apparently you have never heard this sung by The Smothers Brothers. This version is not humorous, but maybe the person who uploaded it is recalling the Smothers Brothers version which is hilarious.

@deeremeyer1753

At least he has a sense of humor. Apparently you do not.

@judywright6889

5y↑1

To me, more sweet...nostalgic...wistful...sigh...maybe even a tear for years gone by.♡

@valdoirls

8y↑1

matando a saudade de quando garoto.....

@Alien_nation

10y↑3

My father would sing the song to us every night before we went to bed

@johnjurkewicz9925

Great song

@johnjurkewicz9925

5y↑1

i love it

@RisinOutlaw21

13y↑1

I just can get lost in this old western music, it's amazing music. It's like Diamonds compared to this new crap. Not many kids my age listen to this music (I'm 15). They should though, this music is amazing. I love "Ghost Riders In The Sky" by The Sons.

@megateriollamas183

11y

What a record that was!

@ChesterVoumette

8y↑3

That's Thurl "Tony The Tiger" Ravenscroft on bass vocal

@doncluff1196

Hugh Farr.

@deeremeyer1749

Goosebumps.

@peterhackman4991

10y

Very early 1900's? Billy Hill was born in 1899. And Bob Nolan was born in Canada.

@grantbratrud4949

I was reading a balanced story about the mayor of Oregon City, OR, on the internet today. Hard to believe OR got filled up so fast with madness. Was it merely the pot?
First clue to crazies: can you make it stop raining?

@paulkate72

12y

@Sshelly34213 - Haven't heard Al's version is it available on YT pls?

@paulkate72

12y

@Sshelly34213 Many thanks - that said, now you've told me about it I can do a search anyway. Regards...

@rhokitten

13y

I still thought this was something the Smothers Brothers thought up. Of course, they kind of took to it the same way they do everything else...

@BrickPa

9y↑1

I'm pretty sure the Bass at the end of the song is Hugh Farr. If any of the real experts on the Sons can confirm or deny, I'd appreciate it.

@1000vox

8y↑1

That's definitely Thurl Ravenscroft, the original Tony the Tiger who did the bass for this number. (I took over as Tony four years after Thurl's death). Thurl's unmistakable basso profundo was nothing like Hugh Farr's bass.

@BrickPa

Thanks For the information!

@charlesforsythe8331

You are correct. Hugh Farr was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers until his death. He toured with them, but rarely had a vocal part on their records. Most of the records with Hugh singing vocal will be from the 150s and 1960s time frame, or earlier.

@BrickPa

@@charlesforsythe8331 Thanks!

@MrNetbait123

13y

this is hallarious

@Labaron26

11y↑1

Not the original group, but they do a good job

@charlesforsythe8331

The "original group" really only lasted 2 or 3 years. Formed in 1933, the Pioneers changed personnel beginning when Len Slye left in 1937 to become Roy Rogers and was replaced in the group by Pat Brady. Lloyd Perryman, at age 19 at the time, joined the Sons of the Pioneers in 1937 and remained with them for 40 years until his death. He is featured on this recording, so he kind of represents the original group. I actually think the 1950s and 1960s group sounds better than the originals; it's a different kind of singing.

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