Chained To The Wheel

John Denver

This song appears on three albums, and was first released on the Different Directions album, and has also been released on The Gift You Are and The John Denver Collection - Annie¡¯s Song albums.





Know what you really need

You can¡¯t get enough

Too many mouths to feed

Ain¡¯t life enough

Call this survival

Don¡¯t pray for a sign



Know what you really want

You can¡¯t get it back

Down on the water front

Better watch out Jack

Nights on the mainline

Rust on the rail



I¡¯ve seen ¡¯em swindle this town

I¡¯ve seen ¡¯em tumble it down

I¡¯ve seen red rivers, fire and steel

I¡¯ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel



Know what you mean to me

Goes deeper than that

Can¡¯t fight your destiny

Don¡¯t know where it¡¯s at

Don¡¯t look for light¡¯n

Or pray for a sign



I¡¯ve heard the legends

I¡¯ve watched the skies

I feel the power

The flame in your eyes



I¡¯ve seen ¡¯em swindle this town

I¡¯ve seen ¡¯em tumble it down

I¡¯ve seen red rivers, fire and steel

I¡¯ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel



Words by Nick Smith and Music by Joe Camilleri