Follow the Drinking Gourd
by David Hill
TTB - Sheet Music

Choral TTB choir, piano

SKU: CF.BL1135

Composed by African American Folk Song. Arranged by David Hill. Fold. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 2:40. BriLee Music #BL1135. Published by BriLee Music (CF.BL1135).

UPC: 680160912469. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: A minor. English, English.

Follow the Drinking Gourd is the perfect spiritual for the burgeoning tenor-bass choir as it provides opportunities to explore colors in the sound while singing in a minor key. With a mysterious piano accompaniment, the repetitions of the word "follow" portrays the haunting call of those who have gone before. Not to be over-looked!.
Follow the Drinking Gourd recalls the perilous, night-time journey of slaves seeking their freedom in the north during the civil war. The reference to the "drinking gourd" is the constellation known as "the big dipper." Those who escaped could use these stars to guide them through the woods and fields at night. The accompaniment was written to lend a sense of mystery about what may have awaited these travelers in the darkness. The repetitions of the word "follow" portray the haunting call of those who had gone before. When singing this song, strive to express a sense of quiet mystery but never with a weak tone. The courageous passengers of the Underground Railroad possessed an incredible strength of will that should always be part of the performance.
Follow the Drinking Gourd recalls the perilous, night-time journey of slaves seeking their freedom in the north during the civil war. The reference to the "drinking gourd" is the constellation known as "the big dipper". Those who escaped could use these stars to guide them through the woods and fields at night. The accompaniment was written to lend a sense of mystery about what may have awaited these travelers in the darkness. The repetitions of the word "follow" portray the haunting call of those who had gone before. When singing this song, strive to express a sense of quiet mystery but never with a weak tone. The courageous passengers of the Underground Railroad possessed an incredible strength of will that should always be part of the performance.
Follow the Drinking Gourd recalls the perilous, night-time journey of slaves seeking their freedom in the north during the civil war. The reference to the  "drinking gourd" is the constellation known as "the big dipper". Those who escaped could use these stars to guide them through the woods and fields at night.The accompaniment was written to lend a sense of mystery about what may have awaited these travelers in the darkness. The repetitions of the word "follow" portray the haunting call of those who had gone before.When singing this song, strive to express a sense of quiet mystery but never with a weak tone. The courageous passengers of the Underground Railroad possessed an incredible strength of will that should always be part of the performance.