1. Exploring the Life of a Slave
Slave Culture
Exploring the Life of a Slave

2. Follow the drinking gourd,
Directions: Read the poem “Follow the Drinking Gourd” below. Then, use a piece of paper to answer the questions on the next slide.
Follow the drinking gourd,
For the old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinking gourd.
When the sun comes back and the first quail calls,
Follow the drinking gourd.
The riverbank will make a very good road.
The dead trees show you the way,
Left foot, peg foot traveling on,
Following the drinking gourd.
The river ends between two hills,
There’s another river on the other side,
Where the great big river meets the little river,
The old man is waiting for to carry you to freedom,

3. Understanding the Meaning…
What is the line that is repeated throughout the poem?
What is a drinking gourd?
Tip: if you do not know… look it up!
Who is the speaker in this poem?
What is the mood of the poem?
Identify 3 adjectives that create this mood.
What do you believe is the purpose of this poem, given the fact that it was sung by slaves in the years before the Civil War?