dec 23, 1850 - follow the drinking gourd

Description:

“The river bank will make a very good road; the dead trees show you the way… follow the drinking gourd”
The lyrics give directions to help slaves escape
“Oppressed so hard they could not stand let my people go”
Slaves sang songs when they were feeling the worst
Songs provided a coping mechanism for the tough life of slaves
Songs officially published in 1928, but were sang since before the civil war

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