Song lyrics to Buffalo Gals (1844) by John Hodges,
“Buffalo Gals” is a traditional American song, written and published as “Lubly Fan” in 1844 by the blackface minstrel John Hodges. The song was widely popular throughout the United States, where minstrels often altered the lyrics to suit local audiences, performing it as “New York Gals” in New York City, “Boston Gals” in Boston, or “Alabama Girls” in Alabama, as in the version recorded by Alan Lomax and Shirley Collins on a 1959 field recording trip. The best-known version is named after Buffalo, New York.
As I was walking down the street
Down the street, down the street
A pretty girl I chanced to meet
And we danced by the light of the moon
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
Come out tonight come out tonight
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
And we’ll dance by the light of the moon
I danced with a gal with a hole in her stocking
And he knees was a knockin’ and her shoes was a rockin’
I danced with a gal with a hole in her stocking
And we danced by the light of the moon
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
Come out tonight come out tonight
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
And we’ll dance by the light of the moon
I danced with a gal with a hole in her stocking
And her knees was a knockin’ and her shoes was a rockin’
I danced with a gal with a hole in her stocking
And we danced by the light of the moon
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
Come out tonight come out tonight
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight
And we’ll dance by the light of the moon
Media references to Buffalo Gals
- In Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life, Mary and George Bailey sing the song together in the scene where George “lassos” the Moon.
- It’s played in “My Darling Clementine” by John Ford