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FOLLOW THE DRINKIN' GOURD

(an Underground Railroad song from the 1850s; the Drinkin' Gourd is the Big Dipper)
(and the trees and rivers were a code for the actual route taken by escaping blacks)

    Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    For the ol' man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
    If you follow the drinkin' goard!
When the sun comes back and the first quail calls,
Follow the Drinkin' Gourd!
For the ol' man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
Follow the Drinkin' Gourd!
    Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    For the ol' man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
    If you follow the drinkin' gourd!

The river bank makes a very good road,
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on, (slightly different melody)
Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    Follow the Drinkin' Gourd...

The river ends between two hills,
Follow the drinkin' gourd!
There's another river on the other side, (different melody)
Follow the drinkin' gourd!
    Follow the Drinkin' Gourd...

Where the great big river meets the little river,
Follow the drinkin' gourd!
For the ol' man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
if you follow the Drinkin' Gourd!
    Follow the Drinkin' Gourd...

(from miriam berg's folksong collection)