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 river bank makes a mighty fine road,
The dead trees show you the way.
And it's 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 you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.

I thought I heard the angels say,
"If you follow the Drinking Gourd"
The stars and the heavens gonna show you the way,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.