During the term artists worked on two themes for Black History Month, “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and “In time of Silver Rain,” and did some independent work.
First Black History Theme: Follow the Drinking Gourd
The song is about the Underground Railroad. The big dipper is the drinking gourd of the song. It and the pole star are used in paintings. The two mountain views shown in some of the paintings are Woodall Mountain which travelers on the Underground Railroad had to cross. The quail in that song signals the beginning of the season for traveling on the Underground Railroad.
Follow the Drinking Gourd
| VERSE 1 When the sun come back, When the firs’ quail call, Then the time is come Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. CHORUS Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. For the ole man say, Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. VERSE 2 The riva’s bank am a very good road, The dead trees show the way, Lef’ foot, peg foot goin’ on, Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. |
CHORUS VERSE 3 The riva ends a-tween two hills, Nuther riva on the other side. Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. CHORUS VERSE 4 Wha the little riva Meet the grea’ big un, The ole man waits— Foller the drinkin’ gou’d. CHORUS |
The second Theme for Black History month is this poem:
In Time of Silver Rain
Langston Hughes
| In time of silver rain The earth puts forth new life again, Green grasses grow And flowers lift their heads, And over all the plain The wonder spreads Of Life, Of Life, Of life! |
In time of silver rain The butterflies lift silken wings To catch a rainbow cry, And trees put forth new leaves to sing In joy beneath the sky As down the roadway Passing boys and girls Go singing, too, In time of silver rain When spring And life Are new. |
Independent work
The first two paintings are part of the Black History month theme. The other two are paintings done during the term.
