Drinking Gourd

[Spoken Intro]
The song of the Underground Railroad
It told the slaves in their own language
How to travel out of bondage
It told them when to go
What rivers to follow
What mountains to pass over
What turnings to make, who to ask for
And always to keep their eyes to the north
Where freedom was under the sign of the Drinkin' Gourd
That was the Big Dipper
So, their song was called "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd"

[Intro]
Follow, follow, follow

[Chorus]
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

[Verse 1]
When the sun comes back, and the first quail calls
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Just follow the drinkin' gourd

[Chorus]
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

[Verse 2]
Now, the riverbank will make a mighty good road
The dead trees will show you the way
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on
Just you follow the drinkin' gourd

[Chorus]
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd

[Verse 3]
Now, the river ends between two hills
Follow the drinkin' gourd
There's another river on the other side
Just you follow the drinkin' gourd

[Chorus]
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd