Peg Leg Joe facts for kids

Peg Leg Joe is a famous sailor and a hero of the Underground Railroad. He is often linked to the song "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd". People say he was an abolitionist. This means he worked to end slavery. He helped enslaved people escape to freedom.

A folklorist named H.B. Parks first wrote about Peg Leg Joe. A folklorist studies old stories and traditions. Parks said Peg Leg Joe guided people to freedom. This happened during the last years of slavery in America. His escape route supposedly went from Alabama to the Ohio River. It is not certain if Peg Leg Joe was a real person. He might be a mix of different people. Some also think his story comes from an old African myth. This myth is about a figure called Papa Legba. As his name suggests, Peg Leg Joe is shown with a prosthesis (an artificial leg).

The Song: Follow the Drinkin' Gourd

Many people believe Peg Leg Joe wrote "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd." This song was supposedly a secret guide. It helped enslaved people find their way to freedom in the northern states. It is likely that African-Americans sang this song. They sang it in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

How the Song Was Found

H.B. Parks first wrote down the song's words. This was in 1928. He published them in a journal. Later, Lee Hays collected a slightly different version. He recorded it in 1947.

What the Song Might Mean

Many people today think the song has hidden messages. These messages describe a route from Alabama to the northern states. The song might tell travelers when to start their journey. It could guide them along the Tombigbee River. Then it would lead them across hills. After that, they would follow the Tennessee River. Finally, they would reach the Ohio River.

Some believe members of the Underground Railroad would meet the escapees there. Perhaps Peg Leg Joe himself would be waiting. These ideas also suggest that dead trees along the route had special marks. These marks were a left foot and a peg foot. This would symbolize Peg Leg Joe. These ideas come from the song's words and Parks' first story.

H.B. Parks' Story

The name Peg Leg Joe is not in the song itself. The song mentions an "old man" who will "carry you to freedom." It also says, "Left foot, peg foot, traveling on." Parks wrote in 1928 that he heard the song from African-American people. He heard it in different places in the American South. The most complete version came from a man in College Station, Texas.

This man told Parks about a sailor with a peg leg. This sailor traveled through southern plantations. He would stay for a few weeks. He worked as a carpenter. While there, he taught the song to enslaved people. Then he would mark a trail north. He marked dead trees with a footprint and a circle. This circle stood for his peg leg. The next spring, enslaved people would follow this trail to freedom.

Parks also said he told his great-uncle about the song. His great-uncle was white and had heard it before. The uncle said he had seen old writings about the song. These writings mentioned "Peg Leg Joe." He claimed Peg Leg Joe was part of the Underground Railroad. He was active "north of Mobile." His last trip south was in 1859.

Is Peg Leg Joe Real?

The story of Peg Leg Joe is often repeated. It appears in history books, children's stories, and online. Many accept the idea that the song is a secret guide. However, some experts question this.

What Experts Say

A scholar named James Kelley says there is little proof for Parks' story. Kelley thinks the song might have a spiritual meaning. It could express a general wish for freedom. It might not contain specific escape instructions. Kelley also finds it strange that Parks' uncle knew about Peg Leg Joe. He thinks Parks might have added his uncle's story. This would make the story from his black informant seem more real.

Kelley also suggests that Peg Leg Joe might be like Papa Legba. Papa Legba is a spirit (called a lwa) in African religions. He is often shown as an old man with a cane. He acts as a guide and gives wisdom. This wisdom helps travelers reach their goal.

Other experts also doubt if Peg Leg Joe was a real person. These include B.A. Botkin and Alan Dundes. They edited books that included Parks' story.

Stories About Peg Leg Joe

Peg Leg Joe appears in children's books. One example is Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter. In this book, Peg Leg Joe pretends to be a carpenter. He teaches the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" to enslaved people. The song then helps them find their way to freedom. They follow the secret code along the Underground Railroad.