Dear friends:

I am researching the song, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and would be interested in any historic information on the song. I am familiar with the Parks articles, its various reprints, and its arrangement and recordings by the Weavers, first in 1951. Specifically, I would like to know of any evidence, pro or con, about whether the song indeed originally dated from the 1800s.

I have separately asked Mr. Windham, the author of the Tuscaloosa News to identify the "new breed of scholars who challenge the authenticity of both the song and Parks’ story."

Thank you,

Joel Bresler