Your Path To Freedom
By Zach Price
Escaping the "Black Belt"
Avoiding Detection:
- The best chances for escape are if you live in Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia.
- Move only during the night and sleep during the day to avoid obvious detection.
- If you ever have to move during the day, disguise yourself. Dress like white people and cover your faces as if you are attending a funeral. Try to keep exposure to a minimum and avoid contact with other people.
- Become a stowaway on boats, train, or wagons.
- Move through rivers when possible so that dogs can't track your scent.
- If near trees or rocks, look for moss; it always grows facing north.
- If you run away after winter, follow the flocks of bird as they pass, and continue in the same direction.
- Follow the North Star, it is the tip of the Little Dipper.
The Underground Railroad
Louisville, Kentucky to Freedom
*****CAUTION*****
'Follow the Drinking Gourd'- A Secret Code for Escaping Slavery
When the sun comes back
And the first quail calls
Follow the drinking gourd
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
Riverbed makes a mighty fine road
The dead trees will show you the way
And it's left foot, peg foot traveling 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
Follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is waiting
For to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd
I thought I heard the angels say
Follow the drinking gourd
The stars in the Heavens'
Gonna show you the way
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
Follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is waiting
For to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinking gourd