“Wagon Wheel,” originally by Old Crow Medicine Show and popularized by Darius Rucker, is a fantastic song for guitarists of all levels. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics make it a crowd-pleaser, and fortunately, the chords are quite simple to learn. If you’re looking to expand your guitar repertoire with a timeless tune, learning the chords for “Wagon Wheel” is a great place to start. This guide will break down the easy guitar chords you need to play this song, making it accessible even for beginners.
Wagon Wheel Guitar Chords: Verse Breakdown
The verses of “Wagon Wheel” follow a repeating chord progression that’s easy to memorize. You’ll primarily be using four chords: G, D, Em, and C. These are common chords that are often among the first learned by guitarists.
Here’s how the verse chords align with the lyrics:
G D
Headed down south to the land of the pines
Em C
And I’m thumbin’ my way into North Caroline
G D C C
Starin’ up the road And pray to God I see headlights
G D
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Em C
Pickin’ me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
G D C C
And I’m a hopin’ for Raleigh so I can see my baby tonight So
As you can see, the chord changes are fairly straightforward and follow a logical pattern, making it easy to follow along and play.
Chorus Chords: Rocking with “Wagon Wheel”
The chorus of “Wagon Wheel” is where the song really picks up, and the chord progression remains the same as the verse, making it simple to transition between sections.
Chorus:
G D
Rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Em C
Rock me mama anyway you feel
G D C C
Heeeey, mama rock me
G D
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Em C
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
G D C C G, D, Em, C G, D, C, C
Heeeey, mama rock me
The repetition in both the chords and lyrics of the chorus makes it incredibly catchy and fun to play and sing along to.
Bridge Chords and Structure
The bridge in “Wagon Wheel” offers a slight variation in the lyrical content while maintaining the familiar chord structure, ensuring the song remains cohesive and easy to play.
Verse:
G D
Runnin’ from the cold up in New England
Em C
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time stringband
G D C C
My baby plays the guitar, I pick a banjo now
G D
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin’ me now
Em C
Lost my money playin’ poker so I had to up and leave
G D C C
But I ain’t a turnin’ back To livin’ that old life no more So
(Chorus)
Verse:
G D
Walkin’ to the south out of Roanoke
Em C
I caught a trucker out of Philly Had a nice long toke
G D
But he’s a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
C C
To Johnson City, Tennessee and I
G D
Gotta get a move on fit for the sun
Em
I hear my baby callin’ my name
C
And I know that she’s the only one
G D C C
And if I die in Raleigh At least I will die free So
(Chorus)
Strumming Pattern for “Wagon Wheel”
For a basic strumming pattern, you can use a simple Down, Down, Up, Down, Up rhythm for each chord. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with adding variations to your strumming to match the energy of the song. Many guitarists find a steady, rhythmic strumming pattern works best for “Wagon Wheel,” emphasizing the folk and country roots of the song.
Conclusion: Start Playing “Wagon Wheel” Today
Learning “Wagon Wheel” on guitar is an achievable goal for beginner guitarists. With its repetitive and easy-to-learn chord progression using G, D, Em, and C, you’ll be playing this popular song in no time. Practice the chord changes, listen to the song to get the rhythm, and soon you’ll be rocking out to “Wagon Wheel.” It’s a fantastic song to add to your repertoire and is guaranteed to be a hit whenever you play it.
