The Underground Railroad
On the Tracks to Freedom
Songs of Freedom
Songs played an integral role in communication in the Underground Railroad. The origins of communication in song come from African culture. Captured slaves from different tribes, countries, and backgrounds would sing to foster a sense of unity and connectedness on the difficult journey and harsh plantations. These songs eventually changed over time to carry meaning beyond connecting slaves. Slaves attempting to escape used songs to send messages to one another. Their lyrics could instruct slaves on safe passages to use for escape, or tricks to prevent capture.
A group of slaves attempts to escape. (Spiff, Tonte. Vibe 105, 2019, www.vibe105to.com/tuned-in/the-underground-railroad-songs-of-freedom.)
The song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Richie Havens is one such song. The lyric, “Follow the drinking gourd,” tells slaves to follow the constellation the Big Dipper, named after it's ladle- like shape also known as a drinking gourd. This constelation contains the North Star. If slaves follow the star they will always know they are traveling North toward freedom in Canada. The line, “The old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom,” references a famous Underground Railroad conductor named Peg Leg Joe. He helped many slaves cross the Ohio River toward freedom. The lyrics are below.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
Arranged by: Richie Havens
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is comin' just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
When the sun comes back, and the first quail calls
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Well the river bank makes a mighty good road
Dead trees will show you the way
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Well the river ends, between two hills
Follow the drinkin' gourd
There's another river on the other side
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Well, where the great big river meets the little river
Follow the drinkin' gourd
The old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinkin' gourd