[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Buffalo Gals (1844); a catchy dance tune
aka Dance With a Dolly (1944)
words and music by John Hodges (“Cool White”)
John Hodges was an American blackface minstrel whose stage name was Cool White. He wrote, published, and popularized this song. The original was about one woman, her name was Lovely Fan. There were many songs in the 1800s written about a beautiful woman with her name as the title. As minstrel troups traveled, the woman being sung about here became a group of women. Buffalo is a reference to the city in New York state.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. As I was lumbering down de street
Down de street, down de street
A pretty gal I chanced to meet
O she was fair to view
Chorus
Den lubly Fan will you cum out tonight
Will you cum out tonight, will you cum out tonight
Den lubly Fan will you cum out tonight
An dance by de lite ob de moon
2. I stopt her an I had some talk
Had some talk, had some talk
But her foot covered up de whole side walk
And left no room for me
3. She’s de prettiest gal ibe seen in my life
Seen in my life, seen in my life
An I wish to de Lord she was my wife
Den we would part no more
4. I lub to taste dem lubly lips
Lubly lips, lubly lips
Oh den I sure would lose my wits
An drap down on de floor
5. Her lips are like de oyster plant
De oyster plant, de oyster plant
I try to kiss dem but I can’t
Dey am so berry large
6. Oh make haste Fan dont make me wait
Make me wait, make me wait
I fear you’ve kept me now too late
Yes dare’s de ebening gun
7. Yes lubly Fan will cum out tonight
Cum out tonight, cum out tonight
Yes lubly Fan will cum out tonight
An dance by de light ob de moon
Chorus
Lubly Fan is cumming out tonight
Cumming out tonight, cumming out tonight
Lubly Fan is cumming out tonight
For to dance by de lite ob de moon
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Sung here by Fred Feild: