Follow the Drinking Gourd

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

This famous song helped tell escaping slaves how to find their way northward to freedom. Our presentation offers the song one verse at a time, with questions after each verse that your students might like to think about. Remember, there may be more than one answer to these.

1
When the sun goes back and the first quail calls,
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is a waiting for to carry you to freedom.
Follow the drinking gourd.

Refrain:
Follow the drinking gourd.
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is a waiting for to carry you to freedom.
Follow the drinking gourd.

Questions:

Who is the old man?
Where do the slaves have to go to find freedom?

2
The river bank makes a mighty fine road,
The dead trees show you the way.
And it's left foot, peg foot, traveling on,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Refrain

Questions:

Why does the river bank make a good road?
Where might the phrase, "left foot, peg foot" refer to?

3
The river ends between two hills.
Follow the drinking gourd.
There's another river on the other side.
Follow the drinking gourd.
Refrain.

Question:

What might the rivers be that are mentioned in this verse?

4
Where the great big river meets a little river.
Follow the drinking gourd.
For the old man is a waiting for to carry you to freedom.
Follow the drinking gourd.
Refrain

Question:

What cities are located on rivers near the division between southern and northern states?

5
Lord, I've heard the angels say.
Follow the drinking gourd.
The stars in heaven going to show you the way.
Follow the drinking gourd.
Refrain

Question:

Which stars does the song refer to?

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