Interactive Literature Selections Follow the Drinking Gourd

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Follow the Drinking Gourd

Anonymous African-American Song of the Underground Railroad

During Reading Strategy
Gather Information

	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 gourd1¹.

Chorus
5	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.

	The river bank will make a very good road,
10		The dead trees show you the way,
	Left foot, peg foot2² traveling on
		Follow the drinking gourd.

Repeat Chorus

	The river ends between two hills,
		Follow the drinking gourd.
15	There’s another river on the other side,
		Follow the drinking gourd.

Repeat Chorus

	Where the little river meets the great big river,
		Follow the drinking gourd.
	The old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedom
20		If you follow the drinking gourd.