“Follow the Drinking Gourd”
The Drinking Gourd Project got its name from this song which urged slaves to “follow the drinking gourd,” or Big Dipper, north to freedom.When the Sun comes back
and the first quail calls
Follow the Drinking Gourd
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry
you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.
The riverbank makes a very good road.
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, traveling on,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The river ends between two hills
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
There’s another river on the other side
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
When the great big river meets the little river
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry
you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.
Follow the Drinking Gourd, follow the
Drinking gourd.
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry
you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.