Buffalo Gals/Alabama Gals

As performed by Wayne Erbsen

The Home Front: 17 Authentic Tunes of the Civil War

Website: http://www.NativeGround.com/

Written by Cool White, it was originally published as “Lubly Fan” in 1844.  A favorite of minstrel audiences, its words were easily changed to reflect the location of each performance (e.g. Buffalo Gals, Charleston Gals, Mobile Gals, etc.).  The song was popular through the war.

Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight,


Come out tonight, come out tonight.


Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight


And dance by the light of the moon.

As I was walking down the street,


Down the street, down the street,


A pretty little gal I chanced to meet,


Oh, she was fair to see.



Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight,


Come out tonight, come out tonight.


Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight


And dance by the light of the moon.



I stopped her and we had a talk,


Had a talk, had a talk,


Her feet took up the whole sidewalk


And left no room for me.



Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight,


Come out tonight, come out tonight.


Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight


And dance by the light of the moon.



I asked her if she’d have a dance,


Have a dance, have a dance,


I thought that I might have a chance


To shake a foot with her.



Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight,


Come out tonight, come out tonight.


Buffalo Gals, won’t you come out tonight


And dance by the light of the moon.



I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin’,


And her heel kept a-knockin’, and her toes kept a-rockin’


I danced with a gal with a hole in her stockin’


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 dance by the light of the moon.

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