When the sun comes back, when the first quail calls Follow the drinking gourd For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom Follow the drinking gourd Well, the riverbank is a mighty good road Dead trees show you the way Left foot, peg foot, travelling on Follow the drinking gourd Follow the drinking gourd Follow the drinking gourd For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom Follow the drinking gourd Well, the river ends between two hills Follow the drinking gourd There's another river on the other side Follow the drinking gourd Where the little river meets the great big one Follow the drinking gourd For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom Follow the drinking gourd Follow the drinking gourd Follow the drinking gourd For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom Follow the drinking gourd