[Chorus]
Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd

[Verse 2]
Now 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

[Chorus]
Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd
[Verse 3]
The river ends between two hills
Follow the drinking gourd
There's another river on the other side
Follow the drinking gourd

[Chorus]
Follow the drinking gourd, follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is a-waitin' to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd