Wagon Wheel By Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics
"Wagon Wheel" is a song originally written by Bob Dylan and later finished by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. It was released in 2004 as a single from their album "O.C.M.S." and became a hit in the United States, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The Story Behind the Song
The song began as an unfinished demo by Bob Dylan, which he recorded during the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid sessions in 1973. Dylan never completed the song, and it remained unreleased until a bootleg recording surfaced in the early 2000s. Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show heard the bootleg and decided to finish the song.
Secor added verses about traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina and falling in love with a woman named Wanda. He also changed the chorus to include the line "Rock me mama like a wagon wheel" from a song by blues artist Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. The result was a catchy, upbeat song with a timeless quality that resonated with audiences.
The Lyrics
Heading down south to the land of the pines
I'm thumbing my way into North Carolina
Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a-hopin' for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight
So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel
Rock me, mama, any way 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, north country winters keep a-getting' me down
Lost my money playing poker so I had to leave town
But I ain't turning back to living that old life no more
So rock me, mama, like a wagon wheel
Rock me, mama, any way 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 Legacy of "Wagon Wheel"
Since its release, "Wagon Wheel" has become a beloved song in American popular culture. It has been covered by countless artists, including Darius Rucker, who took his version to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2013. The song has been featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials, and it continues to be a favorite of audiences of all ages.
In 2018, Old Crow Medicine Show was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, cementing their place in country music history. "Wagon Wheel" remains their signature song and a testament to the enduring power of traditional American music.
Conclusion
"Wagon Wheel" is a classic American song that has stood the test of time. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics have made it a favorite of generations of music fans. Whether you're driving down a country road or sitting around a campfire with friends, "Wagon Wheel" is the perfect song to sing along to and enjoy.