Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses

by Kathy Mattea

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Lyrics

(Ab)Char lie’s got a gold watch.

Don’t seem like a whole i lot

af ter (Eb)thir ty years of driv in’ up and down the in ter state.

But (Ab)Char lie’s had a good life,

and (Dbmaj7)Char lie’s got a good wife.

And (Bbm7)af ter to night please, she’ll no (Db)long er be er count in’ the days.

(Eb7)Eigh (Cm7)teen (Db)wheels

and a doz en (Ab)ros es,

ten more (Fm)miles

on his (Bb7)four day (Eb7)run.

A (Bbm)few (Cm)more (Db)songs

from the all night (Fm)ra di o,

then he’ll (Ab)spend the rest of his (Db)life with the (Eb)one that he (Ab)loves.

They’ll (Ab)buy a Win ne ba go,

set to find A mer i ca.

af They’ll (Eb)do a lot of catch in’ up a lit tle at a time.

With (Ab)piec es of that old dream

they’re (Dbmaj7)gon na light the old flame.

And (Bbm7)Do in’ what they please, leav in’ (Db)ev ’ry oth er reas on be hind.

(Eb7)Eigh (Cm7)teen (Db)wheels

and a doz en (Ab)ros es,

ten more (Fm)miles

on his (Bb7)four day (Eb7)run.

A (Bbm)few (Cm)more (Db)songs

from the all night (Fm)ra di o,

then he’ll (Ab)spend the rest of his (Db)life with the (Eb)one that he (Ab)loves.

They’ll (Ab)loves.

(Eb7)Eigh (Cm7)teen (Db)wheels

and a doz en (Ab)ros es,

ten more (Fm)miles

on his (Bb7)four day (Eb7)run.

A (Bbm)few (Cm)more (Db)songs

from the all night (Fm)ra di o,

then he’ll (Ab)spend the rest of his (Db)life with the (Eb)one that he (Ab)loves.

(Db)wheels

and a doz en (Ab)ros es,

ten more (Fm)miles

on his (Bb7)four day (Eb7)run.

A (Bbm)few (Cm)more (Db)songs

from the all night (Fm)ra di o,

then he’ll (Ab)spend the rest of his (Db)life with the (Eb)one that he (Ab)loves.

Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses by Kathy Mattea — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses” by Kathy Mattea in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Db at 120 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses" use?
Just 12 chords: Ab, Bb7, Bbm, Bbm7, Cm, Cm7, Db, Dbmaj7, +4 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Kathy Mattea songs work for kids?
Try "THE BATTLE HYMN OF LOVE", "WHERE'VE YOU BEEN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.