"Buffalo Gals" is a traditional American song, written
and published as "Lubly Fan" in 1844 by the blackface
minstrel John Hodges, who performed as "Cool White."
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...(+)
"Buffalo Gals" is a traditional American song, written
and published as "Lubly Fan" in 1844 by the blackface
minstrel John Hodges, who performed as "Cool White."
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.