Wait for the Wagon was written in 1850 with music by George P. Knauff and lyrics by R. Bishop Buckley. The song became widely popular in the mid-19th century and circulated through parlor singing and early American popular music traditions. It has been recorded and interpreted by artists including Burl Ives, Johnny Cash, and The New Christy Minstrels. This performance is presented as acoustic folk. Details: – Song: Wait for the Wagon – Music: George P. Knauff (1850) – Lyrics: R. Bishop Buckley – Acoustic folk performance by Jason Paul
Wait for the Wagon
The performance
2 recordingsPerformance 1
Wait for the Wagon [1850] – George P. Knauff, R. Bishop Buckley | Jason Paul, acoustic folk
March 7, 2026
Lyrics and chords
chorus
GWait for the wagon,
G7Wait for the Cwagon
GWait for the wagon Em7and we’ll
AmAll D7take a Gride
verse 1
Will you Gcome with me, my Philis dear
To D7yon blue mountainS Gfree
Where the blossoms smell the sweetest
Em7Come Amrove aD7long with Gme
It’s Gevery Sunday morning now
When D7I am by your Gside
So let’s jump into the wagon
Em7And Amwe shall D7take a Gride
verse 2
Where the Griver runs like silver and
The D7birds they sing so Gsweet
There I have a cabin, Phillis
Em7And Amsomething D7good to Geat
Come Glisten to my story, dear
It D7will relieve my Gheart
So let’s jump into the wagon
Em7And Amlet’s beD7gin to Gstart
verse 3
Do you Gnow believe, my Phillis dear
Old D7Mike with all his Gwealth
Can he make you half so happy
Em7As AmI with D7youth and Ghealth
We’ll Ghave a lively little farm
A D7horse, a pig and Gcow
And if you will mind the dairy
Em7Then AmI will D7guide the Gplow