Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Poetry I Like: Follow the Drinking Gourd: Underground Railroad Song

Follow the Drinking Gourd
Story: The lyrics were instructions on how to get to safety. They were taught by a man known as Peg Leg Joe. The young slaves would use to song to know when it is safe to run, and where it is safe to go.
Lyrics:
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 Gourd
 
The riverbank makes a very good road.
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, travelling on,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The river ends between two hills
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
There’s another river on the other side
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
 
When the great big river meets the little river
Follow the Drinking Gourd.For the old man is a
-waiting for to carry to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd

If you aren't allowed to teach or read, how do you teach about the north star.  The answer is in song.  This song tells a slave the route to follow, and what signs to look for on the way.

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