Follow the Drinking Gourd song

[Joel Bresler]

Dear friends:

I am researching the song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd", and hope someone on
the list might be able to assist with a part of my work. The lyrics of this
song ostensibly were created by the Underground Railroad, and are said to
contain a coded escape route from the south for fleeing slaves. It is
variously known as "Follow the Drinking Gourd" (the drinking gourd being
the Big Dipper) "The Drinking Gourd", "The Drinking Gourd Song", "Foller de
Drinking Gou'd", etc. The song supposedly dates from the Civil War or
earlier, possibly as a camp song, "Follow (Foller) the Risen Lord." In an
arrangement by the Weavers (with notably different lyrics and music) it was
a staple of the civil rights and folk song revival movements of the
1950s/1960s.

Here's the issue. So far, I have been unable to find any traditional
recordings or mentions of the song -- it does not appear in the standard
sources for black songs of that era. I've heard speculation that the song
was actually made up by its supposed discoverer, Texas folklorist H.B.
Parks. And that is where you may be able to help.

Perhaps there is something to be gleaned from the text of the song, as he
reported it in 1928, from "an old Negro at College Station, Texas". As I
say, any analysis will be clouded by the fact that the lyrics were
supposedly made up by members of the Underground Railroad in pre-Civil War
days and it was "collected" 50 to 60 years later.

I would be grateful for any help you may be able to provide, or contacts to
others that may be able to assist.

Cordially,

Joel Bresler

FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD

When the sun come back,
When the firs' quail call, Foller the drinkin' gou'd.

Chorus: Foller the drinkin' gou'd,
Foller the drinkin' gou'd;
For the ole man say,
'Foller the drinkin' gou'd.'

The riva's bank am a very good road,
The dead trees show the way,
Lef' foot, peg foot goin' on,
Foller the drinkin' gou'd.

Chorus

The riva ends a-tween two hills,
Foller the drinkin' gou'd;
'Nuther riva on the other side
Follers the drinkin' gou'd.

Chorus

Wha the little riva
Meet the grea' big un,
The ole man waits--
Foller the drinkin' gou'd.




Joel Bresler
250 E. Emerson Rd.
Lexington, MA 02420
USA

781-862-4104 (Telephone & FAX)
joel.br at verizon.net