英文文学 第4章 民歌

Follow the Drinking Gourd

Anonymous African-American Song of The Underground Railroad

When the song comes back and the first quail calls,

Follow the drinking gourd,

For the old man is a-waiting to carry you to freedom

If you follow the drinking gourd.

Follow the drinking gourd,

Follow the drinking gourd,

For the old man is a-waiting to carry you to freedom

If you follow the drinking gourd.

The river bank will make a very good road,

The dead trees show you the way,

Left foot, peg foot traveling on

Follow the drinking gourd.

The river ends between two hills,

Follow the drinking gourd.

There\'s another river on the other side,

Follow the drinking gourd.

Where the little river meets the great big river,

Follow the drinking gourd.

For the old man is a-waiting to carry you to freedom

If you follow the drinking gourd.

解析：

这是一首美国的民间歌曲，是当时非洲奴隶传递信息的方法。这首歌讲述的是如何逃到北方，获得自由。其中也是地下铁路组织帮助奴隶出逃的方法以及路线。歌曲里提到的drinking gourd是一种干枯的水果，这种水果和南瓜相似，干枯后可以用来盛水喝。不过这个东西在文中暗指北斗七星，是帮助奴隶逃脱的指引。