Follow the Drinking Gourd

DESCRIPTION: A guide to slaves fleeing to freedom. Various landmarks are described, and the listeners are reminded, "For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedom." Above all, they are reminded to "follow the drinking gourd."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1928 (Texas Folklore Society)
KEYWORDS: slave freedom
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (4 citations):
Lomax-ABFS, pp. 227-228, "Foller de Drinkin' Gou'd" (1 text, 1 tune)
Arnett, p. 62, "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd" (1 text, 1 tune)
Greenway-AFP, pp. 99-100, "The Drinking Gourd" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, FOLGOURD
Roud #15532
RECORDINGS:
Pete Seeger, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" (on PeteSeeger46)
Notes: The "Drinking Gourd" is, of course, the Big Dipper, pointing north to the Ohio River, New England, Canada, and freedom. - RBW
File: Arn062

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