Follow De Drinkin' Gou'd

"FOLLOW DE DRINKIN' GOU'D" is a seminal collection of folklore and cultural history edited by the renowned folklorist J. Frank Dobie. As the seventh volume in the prestigious series of publications from the Texas Folk-Lore Society, this work serves as a vital archive of the legends, songs, and traditions that define the American Southwest. The title piece explores the powerful symbolism of the "drinking gourd"-the Big Dipper-which served as a celestial guide for enslaved people seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad.

Beyond its titular essay, the collection features a diverse array of contributions that capture the spirit of Texas and its surrounding regions. Readers will encounter tall tales, ghost stories, and folk songs that reflect the intersection of diverse cultures, including African American, Mexican, and pioneer influences. Dobie's curation emphasizes the preservation of oral traditions that might otherwise have been lost to time. This volume is an essential resource for scholars of American history, musicology, and sociology, offering deep insights into the communal identity and storytelling heritage of the early 20th-century South. Its rich narrative fabric provides a window into the lived experiences and imaginative world of the frontier.

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