This past Monday, attending a Memorial Day concert at Pisgah Brewery in Black Mountain, I witnessed something truly special. Old Crow Medicine Show, a renowned old-time bluegrass band, was performing, and I joined my friend Natalie, a dedicated fan. While the show itself was fantastic, observing Natalie’s engagement was even more captivating. She knew every lyric, sang with passion, and connected with fellow enthusiasts who shared her deep familiarity with the music.
I must admit, my own knowledge of their songs isn’t as comprehensive as I’d like. I genuinely appreciate Old Crow Medicine Show, yet haven’t immersed myself in their discography as much as I could. However, there’s one song that resonates deeply, a tune many in my area, around Boone, North Carolina, consider an unofficial anthem. That song is “Wagon Wheel.” Originally penned in part by Bob Dylan and later completed and popularized by Old Crow Medicine Show, it’s a song filled with evocative imagery and heartfelt yearning. The words, in part, go like this:
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Rock me momma any way you feel
Hey momma rock me.
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Rock me momma like a southbound train
Hey momma rock me.
When the opening chords of “Wagon Wheel” filled the brewery, an almost magical transformation occurred. In that moment, surrounded by strangers becoming kin, I experienced a profound sense of unity. People linked arms, swayed rhythmically, and sang the familiar words with an almost innate understanding. It felt like a glimpse into a shared, joyful space, a feeling that resonated deeply with the sense of community I believe churches strive to create.
It’s not about mimicking catchy tunes or chasing attendance figures for the church, nor is it about elaborate productions to attract the disengaged. Instead, it’s about something far more fundamental. People come to church seeking the essence of community, the kingdom of God in action. Our role is to embody that kingdom through our actions, worship, and communal living. We need to connect with one another, even with those we don’t know, and collectively sing the songs that have brought us to this shared place of belonging. We need to actively listen to the proclaimed word, and even more deeply, attune ourselves to the divine song within, the song of grace that resonates in the heart of God. As Charles Wesley eloquently wrote, when we truly hear that divine voice, we are “lost in wonder, love, and praise.” We discover ourselves singing a song that feels ancient, known long before conscious memory.
The next time you find yourself at a concert and witness the collective singing, remember it. Let it serve as a reminder that the song of God, the song of community, is expansive enough for all voices to join. And we are all invited to lock arms and sing together. Will you answer that call?
