Wagon Wheel – A Road-Weary Folk Anthem That Shines on Ukulele

Why this modern classic is a jam session staple — and how the right uke brings out the rhythm, melody, and rootsy energy in every chorus

Wagon Wheel has a backstory as winding as the roads it sings about. The chorus was originally penned by Bob Dylan in the 1970s — but it sat unfinished until Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show completed the verses and turned it into a folk hit in 2004.

Since then, it’s become a must-know jam tune. Whether you play solo or lead a group strum, this song hits all the right notes: easy chords, catchy melody, and a chorus everyone knows by heart.

🛣️ A Song 30 Years in the Making

The song’s origin is legendary. Dylan’s original recording was just a rough sketch called Rock Me, Mama. Secor wrote the rest while in high school, with Dylan’s blessing later granted — a collaboration across generations.

“Rock me mama like a wagon wheel…”
It’s Americana gold, and it rolls beautifully on ukulele.

🎶 Why Ukulele Players Love It

• Classic four-chord structure (G, D, Em, C)

• Great for steady strumming and group singalongs

• Sounds best with open, resonant uke tone

• Easy for beginners — fun for pros to embellish with melody fills

🎶 Want an instrument that feels as comfortable as a well-worn pair of boots? Browse our Mid-Priced Ukuleles Collection ($500–$1000) — they’re built to travel, perform, and keep sounding sweet.

🎯 Playing Tip: Build That Trainbeat Groove

This song lives in the rhythm. Use a chugging down-down-up-up-down-up strum and emphasize the offbeats to keep things moving. Playing with a low-G tuning adds extra bass to help mimic that old-time string band feel.

Feeling ambitious? Add a little hammer-on or walk-up bass runs between chord changes for that Nashville flair.

🔗 Sources

• NPR – The Story of Wagon Wheel

• SongFacts – Wagon Wheel

• Ultimate Guitar – Ukulele Tab