American Songs

Buffalo Gals - Chords, Lyrics and Origins

Origins

Buffalo Girls - or to give it its accepted, if not correct, spelling, 'Buffalo Gals' - is a traditional American Folk song. The first published version of it, known as 'Lubly Fan', appeared in the mid-nineteenth century. It was sung by both Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Depending upon where the song is performed, 'Buffalo gals' can quickly become 'Boston gals' or 'Pittsburgh gals' or 'wherever-I-happen-to-be-tonight gals'. It's an adaptable song. The consistent two chord structure makes it a very easy number for beginner guitarists to learn to play.

Chords

Capo at 5th Fret

Verse

     C
As I was walking down the street,

G7                         C
Down the street, down the street,

    C
A pretty little gal I chanced to meet,

               G7                                        C
And we danced by the light of the moon.

Chorus

C
Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight,

G7                            C
Come out tonight, come out tonight?

C
Buffalo Gals, won't you come out tonight,

         G7                                      C
And dance by the light of the moon?

Lyrics

As I was walking down the street,
Down the street, down the street,
A pretty little gal 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 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?

I danced all night with a bottle in my hand,
bottle in my hand, bottle in my hand,
I danced all night with a bottle in my hand,
And we danced in 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?