When the sun comes up 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' for to carry you to freedom,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Now the river bank'll make a mighty good road,
(A) Em
Left foot, peg foot, travelin' on,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Follow the drinking gourd,
Follow the drinking gourd,
For the old man is a waitin' for to carry you to freedom,
Follow the drinking gourd.
Now the river ends between two hills,
(A) Em
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' for to carry you to freedom,
Follow the drinking gourd.