The Drinkin' Gourd is another name for the Big Dipper asterism. Fugitive slaves in the United States used to use it as a landmark so they would not get lost. The asterism is laid out in such a way that it is always seen in the directly north sky. Two of the stars line directly up with Polaris. Hence, all slaves had to do was look for the Drinkin' Gourd and follow it north to freedom.

The song Follow the Drinkin' Gourd was used by conductors of the Underground Railway to guide some fugitive slaves.

The words of the first verse went as follows:

''When the sun come back and the first quail calls,

Follow the Drinkin' Gourd

For the old man's waitin' for to carry you to freedom

If you follow the Drinkin' Gourd.

The song was used as a clue in the July 10, 2006 episode of the reality TV show Treasure Hunters.

External links

• Explanation of the Lyrics from NASA
• Follow the Drinkin' Gourd MP3 featuring Roger McGuinn and Nedra Talley Ross (of The Ronettes) at the Folk Den

Ursa Major constellation