Wagon Wheel was originally sketched by Bob Dylan, who recorded the chorus in 1973 under the title Rock Me Mama. Ketch Secor, of Old Crow Medicine Show, later added verses to the song, completing this unconventional collaboration. The song talks about a journey through the southern United States to Raleigh, North Carolina. It has since become popular for its nostalgic feel and portrayal of the search for a home or a place to belong.
Headed down south to the land of the pines And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline Starin' up the road And 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 I can see my baby tonight
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 stringband 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