When the sun come back
When the first quail call
Then the time is come
Follow the drinking gourd

chorus:
Follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourd
For the old man say
Follow the drinking gourd

The river bank is a very good road
The dead trees show the way
Left foot, peg foot going on
Follow the drinking gourd

The river ends a-tween two hills
Follow the drinking gourd
Another river on the other side
Follow the drinking gourd

When the little river
Meet the great big one
The old man waits
Follow the drinking gourd