Language, Power and Resistance

Bell's quote: "For in the incorrect usage of words, in the incorrect placement of words, was a spirit of rebellion that claimed language as a site of resistance. Using English in a way that ruptured standard usage and meaning, so that white folk could often not understand black speech, made English into more than the oppressor’s language."

Primary Text: “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” (Listen to the song or read the lyrics)

Fleeing slaves

The spirit of rebellion that claimed as a site of resistance is especially prominent in the “slave quilt code,” which is a term used to describe the quilts to communicate information to pave their way of escape towards freedom. The American folk song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” was published in 1928. Supposedly, the folk song was used by Underground Railroad operative, called Peg Leg Joe, in his aims to conceal the escape map. This map of directions allowed fleeing slaves to reach the north from Mobile, Alabama to the Ohio River. Furthermore, the “drinking gourd” refers to a hollowed-out gourd used by slaves as a water cup. This folk song is a prime example of the slave quilt code, as the “Drinking Gourd” was a code name for the Big Dipper star formation, which follows to Polaris, the North and the Pole Star to freedom.

Drinking gourd

The Drinking Gourd had a pivotal role in the Civil Rights and folk revival movements during the 1950s and 1960s, as it displays the remnants of the pre-Civil War South map songs. Specifically, Northern states with abolitionist societies and benevolent groups, such as New York and Massachusetts, would help to flee slaves who came from Southern slave states. Their goal was to reach Canada, where slavery was prohibited. Hence, to arrive at this final destination, a map song was a clue they heavily relied on to find out where exactly the North to freedom was. The Polaris, also known as the Ursa Major or Big Bear was known in slave quilt code as a dipper. Hence, its reference to the “Drinking Gourd.”

           When referring to the map song, several clues are embedded within the lyrics that project its reference to a rebellious spirit, which “ruptured standard meaning, so that white folk could often not understand black speech.” The song states “The river bank makes a mighty good road, / The dead trees show you the way. / Left foot, peg foot, traveling on/ Follow the Drinking Gourd” referring to the Tombigbee River in Mississippi. “The river ends between 2 hills/ Follow the Drinking Gourd. / There’s another river on the other side/ Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Referring that when the Tombigbee River ended, they should go to over the hills until they reach the Tennessee River. Finally, “When the great big river meets the little river, / Follow the Drinking Gourd. / For the old man is a-waiting to carry you to freedom/ If you follow the Drinking Gourd.” Referencing where the Tennessee River meets the Ohio River. Once crossed the Ohio river, they could go to the Underground Railroad system, as free territory.

Thus, this map song is a significant source of demonstrating the manipulation of the meaning of standard English to help to flee slaves and obstruct white folks who spoke the oppressor’s language. Furthermore, this folk song illustrates its participation in developing a language and culture of resistance and rebellion, to free their individuals from the oppressor’s language and oppressing community. 

Works Cited

Bresler, Joel. "Introduction." "Follow the Drinking Gourd": A Cultural History. N.p., 2008. Web. 10 Feb. 2017.

Maryland Public Television. "Pathways to Freedom | Secrets: Signs and Symbols | Follow the Drinking Gourd." Pathways to Freedom | Secrets: Signs and Symbols | Follow the Drinking Gourd. Maryland & the Underground Railroad, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2017.

Maryland Public Television. "Pathways to Freedom | Secrets: Signs and Symbols | Follow the Drinking Gourd." Pathways to Freedom | Secrets: Signs and Symbols | Follow the Drinking Gourd. Maryland & the Underground Railroad, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2017.