When the sun goes back and the first quail calls

Follow the drinking gourd

The old man is a-waitin' for to carry you to freedom

Follow the drinking gourd.


Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd

For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom

Follow the drinking gourd.


The river bed makes a mighty fine road,

Dead trees to show you the way

And it's left foot, peg foot, traveling on

Follow the drinking gourd.


Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd

For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom

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.


Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd

For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom

Follow the drinking gourd.


I thought I heard the angels say

Follow the drinking gourd

The stars in the heavens gonna show you the way

Follow the drinking gourd...