Spirituals and Songs
Follow the Drinking Gourd
For slaves, freedom was North. But for many, North was hard to find. Most knew that moss grew on the North side of the trees, and some even observed the birds and noticed that they flew North for the Summer. However the most common way to find North was to find the North star. The North Star never moves and always pointed North. The easiest way to find the North Star is to follow the "drinking gourd." The drinking is a star constellation that points to the North Star. The "drinking gourd" was also used in a song that was often sung by the slaves when working in the fields. To the overseers, it was just a silly song, but to the slaves, it promised a way to escape and freedom.
Songs
For the many slaves that wanted to escape, the songs held more than one meaning. The songs were used to communicate. The songs, also called spirituals, would talk about "going home" or "being bound to the land of Canaan." To an outsider, the songs songs like they are missing home or talking about going to their savior. But the slaves saw a different meaning. The songs talked about escaping to Canada and to freedom. They were hints on how to escape hidden as well. Many phrases were used to give signals to the slaves.
For example, Harriet Tubman used to phrase "wade into the water" to tell the slaves to escape in the water.
Another song used by Harriet Tubman was "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
In another occasion, the slave Nat Turner used the song "Steal Away" to signal a meeting.
For example, Harriet Tubman used to phrase "wade into the water" to tell the slaves to escape in the water.
Another song used by Harriet Tubman was "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
In another occasion, the slave Nat Turner used the song "Steal Away" to signal a meeting.