How is the route of escape shared in "Follow the Drinking Gourd"?

"Follow the Drinking Gourd" is a coded song, which reveals the route for a slave escape to freedom from Mississippi and Alabama. Peg Leg Joe was responsible for the song that gave the directions.

When the sun comes back and the first quail calls,

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

For the old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom,

If you follow the Drinking Gourd.

"When the sun comes back" refers to winter and spring. Quails migrate north after wintering in the South. Thus, slaves whould leave in the winter and head toward the Big Dipper (drinking gourd). Leaving in the winter provided the slaves with more time for movement, as the days were shorter.

The river bank makes a very good road,

The dead trees will show you the way,

Left foot, peg foot, travelling on,

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

This verse taught the slaves to look for markings along the route and give specific information of the location of the Tombigbee River..

The river ends between two hills,

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

There’s another river on the other side,

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

This verse explains which direction the slaves should head after they reach the headwaters of the river.

Where the great big river meets the little river,

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

For the old man is awaiting to carry you to freedom if you

Follow the Drinking Gourd.

Above, we see the instructions the slaves are given for crossing the Ohio river, and a special intruction to wait for their guide.