The Wheelwrights Legacy (Verse 1) In sixteen-forty, winter came to Roxbury town A baby boy named Shubael Seaver, first son of Robert He learned to work with wood and wheel, to shape the oak and ash While Hannah Wilson down the road grew strong and kind and fast At twenty-eight he took her hand, she was twenty-one In February's cold they wed, two hearts became as one (Verse 2) Six children blessed their union—Robert, Joseph, Hannah too Abigail and Shubael, and Thankful made the crew He bent his back at Stony River, crafting wheels all day She kept the house and raised the young and taught them how to pray They joined the church together, lived by the Good Book's word Fifty-three years side by side, the finest life they'd heard (Chorus) Roll on, roll on, like wheels upon the road Through ninety years of living, bearing every load From wilderness to homestead, through sorrow and through joy The wheelwright and his Hannah, what time could not destroy Hand in hand they built their life on faith and honest trade Roll on, roll on, the mark that they have made (Verse 3) He sold and bought the land they'd need, from Boston Field to Dedham way Built shops and barns and homes to keep, for family and for pay Made coffins for the neighbors' dead, mended bridges in the town His reputation solid stood, an honest man renowned She took in Sarah Parker when the widow had no place They lived their faith in every deed, with mercy, truth, and grace (Chorus) Roll on, roll on, like wheels upon the road Through ninety years of living, bearing every load From wilderness to homestead, through sorrow and through joy The wheelwright and his Hannah, what time could not destroy Hand in hand they built their life on faith and honest trade Roll on, roll on, the mark that they have made (Bridge) When Hannah passed at seventy-three, in seventeen twenty-two He lived eight winters on alone, till his own days were through At eighty-nine he closed his eyes, his work on earth complete The wheelwright rests beside his bride, where earth and heaven meet (Verse 4) Now they sleep at Eliot's ground, beneath the Roxbury sky Where moss grows on their ancient stones as centuries roll by But in the children's children's lives, their legacy remains The value of an honest day, the strength of love's long chains So remember Shubael and his Hannah, who built what time won't steal A life of faith and family, as true as any wheel (Chorus) Roll on, roll on, like wheels upon the road Through ninety years of living, bearing every load From wilderness to homestead, through sorrow and through joy The wheelwright and his Hannah, what time could not destroy Hand in hand they built their life on faith and honest trade Roll on, roll on, the mark that they have made (Outro) Roll on, roll on... through generations still they ride Roll on, roll on... the wheelwright and his bride Roll on, roll on... in every heart they're here to stay Roll on, roll on... their love lights up the way Roll on... roll on... roll on...
