Follow The Drinking Gourd
Words & Music:
Traditional American
To "follow the drinking gourd" meant you were following the Big Dipper and its North Star as guide to escape from slavery in the South to freedom in the North. Realize that, and you see that the lyrics to this song are a map.
CHORUS:
Em A Em A Em
Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd.
G D Em Bm
For the old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom.
Em Bm Em
Follow the drinking gourd.
Em
When the sun comes up and the first quail calls,
Em
Follow the drinking gourd.
G D Em Bm
The old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom,
Em Bm Em
Follow the drinking gourd.
CHORUS:
Now the river bank'll make a mighty good road,
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on,
Follow the drinking gourd.
CHORUS:
Now the river ends between two hills,
Follow the drinking gourd.
There's another river on the other side,
Follow the drinking gourd.
CHORUS: