Follow the Drinking Gourd
It's widely believed that the "drinking gourd" was the secret code for the big dipper in the underground railroad, to help guide slaves to safety.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Folk Song
(Chorus)
Follow the drinking gourd,
Follow the drinking gourd,
For the old man is waiting
For to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinking gourd.
When the sun comes back
And the first quail calls,
Follow the drinking gourd,
For the old man is waiting
For to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinking gourd.
The riverbank will make a very good road,
The dead trees show you the way,
Left foot, peg foot traveling on,
Following the drinking gourd.
The river ends between two hills,
Follow the drinking gourd,
There's another tree on the other side,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Where the great big river meets the little river,
Follow the drinking gourd,
The old man is waiting,
For to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinking gourd.
Comments
Rosario said, "I learned this one in elementary school. It was a song used on the underground railroad to tell slaves how to find their way to Canada."
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Rosario Guzman for contributing this song.
