Wheels That Spin

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Robert Hunter

In 'Box Of Rain' and part of Robert Hunter's solo repertoire. Sometimes appears in setlists as "Train Rolls By". See below for a version with David Crosby and others.

I got wheels that spin and wheels that walk
whispering grass and trees that talk (note 1)
Chin down in my pocket
Little run-down at the heel
Ask how I'm doin', I say okay
but this is how I feel

When that train (note 2)
goes rolling by
sometimes when that train
goes rolling by (note 4)
and it don't take me
It makes me want to cry

I feel better than I did the day before (note 4)
Got the DT blues and I nearly bought the store
Saw a rainbow made of brick and steel
sharp as a butcher knife
I said: Oh, no, can this be real?
It said: You bet your life

When that train
goes rolling by
sometimes when that train
goes rolling by
and it don't take me
It makes me want to cry

I got wheels that bark and wheels that bite
Things that crawl up my skin all night
Got the gin down in my sockets
blowin' out my lights
Dark side of the moon shines
for me that's much too bright

When that train
goes rolling by
sometimes when that train
goes rolling by
and it don't take me
It makes me want to cry

It's one-fifty-nine-fifty-nine, it's two o'clock
I got wheels that spin and wheels that walk
Baby, come and save me
Oh, don't be too long (note 5)
I'll try to behave me
You know my love is strong

But sometimes when that train
goes rolling by
Sometimes when that train
goes rolling by
and it don't take me
it makes me cry
and it don't take me
It makes me
want to cry

Notes
(1) Hunter sometimes sang "... leaves that talk" in solo performances.
(2) Hunter sometimes sang the chorus as "When that train rolls by, it don't take you, it make you cry", sometimes adding "it don't take me, I never cry".
(3) during one performance, Hunter said "That line was 'rats, cats, playing cards, roses and rain, only the strange remain'".
(4) Hunter sometimes sang "I feel deader than I did the day before"
(5) it sounds as if Hunter sometimes sang this line as "I don't belong" - but that may be a mis-hearing.

A fragment, with slightly different lyrics and listed as "Train Song", was sung by Robert Hunter at a recording session with David Nelson and some members of the Grateful Dead in summer 1969.

[cuts in]
It's a [hidden spin]
So you can hear the whistle scream

Sometimes when that train
Goes rolling by
Sometimes when that train
Goes rolling by
And it don't take you
It makes you want to cry

If you tell your baby goodbye
You know you just gonna make her cry
You catch that train tonight
You'll be gone by the morning light

Sometimes when that train
Goes rolling by
Sometimes when that train
Goes rolling by
And it don't take you
It makes you want to cry

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography