Music was not just a cultural aspect for the African American slaves. Music was also used to covey secret messages to other runaways about the Underground Railroad. Songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Go Down Moses" contained secret messages detailing escape routes for runaways. Another popular song was "Follow the Drinking Gourd" which referred to following the Big Dipper. Again this song was also a description for escaping. These songs were also used to boost the morale of the slaves and give them hope. It was also a way to make more slaves aware of passages to escape. The messages were passed around through singing, in which the slave keepers would not know they were telling others how to escape. To anyone who was not a conductor or runaway, the songs simply seemed like songs. Below are listed two slave songs that helped guide runaways to escape, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and "Wade in the Water."
"Follow The Drinking Gourd"
(song lyrics)
The riverbank makes a very good road
The dead trees show you the way
Left foot, peg foot, traveling on
Follow the drinking gourd
When the sun comes back and the first quail calls
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
If you follow the drinking gourd
"Wade in the Water"
(song lyrics)
Chorus: Wade in the Water, wade in the water children.
Wade in the Water. God's gonna trouble the water.
Who are those children all dressed in Red?
God's gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones that Moses led.
God's gonna trouble the water.
Chorus.
Who are those children all dressed in White?
God's gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones of the Israelites.
God's gonna trouble the water.
Chorus.
Who are those children all dressed in Blue?
God's gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones that made it through.
God's gonna trouble the water.
Chorus.
Harriet Tubman used the songs for other messages as well. Sometimes, she would have to leave a group that she was leading to get food or other resources. She would tell them to hide and wait for her signal. If she came back and sang one song two times, they would know it was safe to come out of hiding.
_Emily
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