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Origins: Buffalo Gals

DigiTrad:
BUFFALO GALS


Related threads:
Lyr Req: dolly with a hole in her stocking (9) (closed)
Lyr Req: Buffalo Gals (10) (closed)
(origins) Origins: Buffalo girls & motorcycle racing (7)
Lyr Req: Buffalo Girls (6) (closed)


In Mudcat MIDIs:
Buffalo Gals


Q (Frank Staplin) 10 Feb 04 - 01:43 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 10 Feb 04 - 01:56 PM
Joybell 10 Feb 04 - 06:08 PM
Joe Offer 12 Jul 04 - 02:54 AM
GUEST,Guest 23 Sep 05 - 12:54 AM
GUEST,Linda M 02 Nov 05 - 09:32 PM
Kaleea 02 Nov 05 - 11:50 PM
GUEST,.gargoyle 02 Nov 05 - 11:58 PM
Azizi 03 Nov 05 - 05:23 PM
Azizi 03 Nov 05 - 06:17 PM
Kaleea 03 Nov 05 - 08:02 PM
Azizi 03 Nov 05 - 08:25 PM
Azizi 03 Nov 05 - 08:33 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 03 Nov 05 - 08:50 PM
Clinton Hammond 04 Nov 05 - 01:11 PM
GUEST,richard 25 Dec 08 - 02:48 AM
BuffaloChuck 17 Nov 09 - 10:59 PM
Steve Gardham 18 Nov 09 - 06:14 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 18 Nov 09 - 08:29 PM
GUEST 18 Nov 09 - 09:07 PM
Joe Offer 18 Nov 09 - 11:30 PM
Mr Red 19 Nov 09 - 06:54 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 19 Nov 09 - 06:03 PM
Steve Gardham 19 Nov 09 - 06:08 PM
GUEST,craig 25 Mar 10 - 07:36 PM
Steve Gardham 26 Mar 10 - 04:11 PM
GUEST,DTM 27 Jan 12 - 11:27 AM
Amos 27 Jan 12 - 01:21 PM
GUEST,SteveG 27 Jan 12 - 02:45 PM
Lighter 27 Jan 12 - 04:45 PM
Q (Frank Staplin) 27 Jan 12 - 06:07 PM
Lighter 27 Jan 12 - 06:18 PM
The Sandman 08 Jan 13 - 05:42 PM
Steve Gardham 09 Jan 13 - 04:46 PM
Steve Gardham 09 Jan 13 - 05:16 PM
GUEST 10 Jan 13 - 01:16 AM
Q (Frank Staplin) 10 Jan 13 - 11:36 AM
GUEST,Bette 27 Nov 15 - 02:49 PM
Jim Dixon 28 Jan 19 - 10:21 PM
Jim Dixon 28 Jan 19 - 10:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:43 PM

The pop song was just a revival of the play-party song popular from 1900 on and probably earlier. Many verses have been collected.
See Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. 3, "Buffalo Gals," p. 332-334, for examples collected 1920-1930, and other collections.

I believe that these songs have been discussed in other threads. There are bawdy versions as well.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:56 PM

Should have mentioned that the one in the DT is a good example of a play party version.
Here is a bawdy version:

Lyr. Add: Buffalo Gals (bawdy)

We'll fuck all night till broad daylight,
Broad daylight, broad daylight,
We'll fuch all night till broad daylight,
And go home with the gals in the mornin'.

Country boys all pecker and feet,
Pecker and feet, pecker and feet,
Country boys all pecker and feet,
Go home with the gals in the mornin'.

Swing right and left and stick it in the middle,
Stick it in the middle, stick it in the middle,
Swing right and left and stick it in the middle,
And go home with the gals in the mornin'.

From J. D., Little Rock, Arkansas, in Randolph and Legman, "Roll Me In Your Arms," #134, Buffalo Gals (with music) B, p. 424ff.


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Subject: Another Buffalo Gals play-party
From: Joybell
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:08 PM

There's another "dance" I have been teaching, for some time, for this Play-party. I learned it at school and don't know it's origins. It goes:
Formation - Double circle with boys on inside. Start with couples holding hands, facing each other.

Verse
Girls turn and march counter-clockwise around circle. Boys turn and march clockwise.
Chorus
Everyone stop and hold both hands with nearest partner. Swing that partner for the whole of the chorus.

It's very simple but little kids love it. Joy


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Subject: ADD: Dance With a Dolly
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 02:54 AM

In researching a Jimmy Eaton song called "Old Bonebags," I learned that Eaton was one of the writers of "Dance With a Dolly." I think it's worth posting this pop version of the song.

Dance With A Dolly (With A Hole In Her Stocking)
as recorded by Tony Pastor
Words and music by Terry Shand, Jimmy Eaton and Mickey Leader.

As I was walkin' down the street,
Down the street, down the street,
I met somebody who was mighty sweet,
Mighty fair to see.
I asked her would she like to have a talk,
Have a talk, make some talk,
All the fellows standin' on the walk
Wishin' they were me:
Mama, Mama let me dress up tonight,
Dress up tonight, dress up tonight,
I've got a secret, gonna 'fess up tonight
Gonna dance by the light of the moon.
Gonna dance with a dolly with a hole in her stockin'
While our knees keep aknockin' and our toes keep arockin'
Dance with a dolly with a hole in her stockin'
Dance by the light of the moon.

Mama, Mama put the cat out tonight.
Cat out tonight, cat out tonight.
Worked all day I'm gonna scat out tonight
And I won't be home until dawn.
Gonna dace with a dolly with a hole in her stockin'
While our knees keep a knockin' and our toes keep a rockin'
Dance with a dolly with a hole in her stockin'
Dance by the light of the moon.
Gonna dance by the light of the moon,
Dance by the light of the moon,
By the light of the moon.


Adapted from the 1844 minstrel song by Cool White, "Lubly Fan;" also known as "Buffalo Gals."
Featured in the 1945 film "On Stage Everybody."

Also recorded by Bill Hailey and the Comets in the 1950's.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 12:54 AM

Regarding the recording used for the film - I noticed on the screen, it shows a Velvet Tone 78 by an Arthur Black and his Orchestra - I couldn't read the number though and haven't found any references to it anywhere. I'm relatively sure they dubbed in the music anyways (odd mixture otherwise) but I too would like to find that particular variation on a 78..


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,Linda M
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 09:32 PM

My 5 year old granddaughter cracks up at the song. She saw it on a version of "Little House on the Prairie" where father played it on his fiddle in the evening and the girls danced to it. Actually it was the dance that made her laugh. So I was interested to know what "buffalo gals" were. I like the less bawdy version and think that probably the Native American name for the black soldiers and by inference their "gals" is most accurate. It was enlightening to read the threads. Thanks


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Kaleea
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 11:50 PM

Various "scholars" & "experts" often forget that there are people who have lived the history of which they wax. On both sides of my family, my ancestors have been in North America for over 3 centuries, some were indigenous. I grew up mostly in Oklahoma, where one can still find a wealth of information about the "Buffalo Soldiers" from their relatives, some of whom have told many stories of the Buffalo Soldiers & their Buffalo Gals. As a child, I never tired of hearing the story an elderly lady told me of being a "Buffalo Gal" who came out West on the train after the civil war was over, to hopefully find a husband & a better life. After the war, she had nothing, no relatives, no place to go, but wanted to live where her "African blood" (her words, not mine) was not the measure of a woman or a man-where she could live a free woman.
A visit to museums at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma (adjacent to Lawton) could show the observer informative displays of Buffalo Soldiers, as they were assigned there.

   Oh yes, and I grew up singing the song, too.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 11:58 PM

I was kinder and gentler in the past - but since you probe deeper.

A fat - homley woman.

Later evolved into buffolorilla - Big, fat, ugly, ... bigger than a buffalo, uglier than a gorilla.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Little accademic remaining in the forum - consult past threads for references.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 05:23 PM

Most of the time I ignore Gargoyle.

But if this was a discussion forum that rated comments on a scale of 0 to 4 {with 4 being the best}, I'd give his last one a 0.

****

FWI, Bob Marley has a great song about buffalo soldiers.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 06:17 PM

Kaleea,

Thanks for that interesting information.

I agee that the origin of the term "buffalo gal" was as you wrote, and that term later became most closely associated with the city Buffalo, New York though the song's title could be changed to feature another city.

Changing a geographical name is a common occurance in folk music, including children's rhymes.

This is a bit of a tangent, but....

In the late 1980s my daughter was a camp counselor at Lillian Taylor Camp in Pittsburgh. This camp drew its African American attendees from various Pittsburgh, Pa neighborhoods. Every other week the camp would have a talent show featuring the different groups of campers. Invariably the girl groups would do a foot stomping cheer for their part of the show.

One of the cheers that they performed was called "Chocolate City".
"Chocolate City" is an African American nickname for Washington, D.C. [so named because so many Black people live there]. "Chocolate City" is less often used as a nickname for other American cities that have large Black populations.

"Chocolate City" was pronounced like Chock-let City". Probably because they weren't familiar with the term "Chocolate City" my duaghter told me that sometimes the girls would say "Chop the city". Other groups of girls changed the name altogether to "Pittsburgh City".


For the historical record, here's the words to that cheer:
All                Chock-let City
                Chock chock-let City
                Chock-let City
                Chock Chock-let City
Soloist #1        My name is Ralene [use soloist's name]
                And I'm walkin
Group                She's walkin
Soloist #1        I'm talkin
Group                She's talkin
Soloist #1        I'M TALKIN TO [girls stop using first step beat]
                All the boys in Chock-let City [begin new step beat]
                Get down to the nitty gritty
                Long time no see
                Sexy as I wanna be.
                Some hittin me high
                Some hittin me low
                Some hittin me on my
                Don't ask what
Group                What?
Soloist #1        My b-u-tt butt
                That's what.

{repeat from the beginning with the next soloist who says her name or nickname. Continue this pattern until every girl in the group has had one chance as the soloist with this cheer}.

BTW #1: "Chocolate City" used two step beats. Initially the girls used the second most widely used step beat "Stomp Clap. Stomp Stomp Clap" . They then slowed down the tempo a bit and used the most widely "used step beat "Stomp Stomp Clap. Stomp Stomp Clap".

{"clap" means clap your own hands. There are no partner handclaps in the performance of foot stomping cheers}.

BTW #2 , I collected the exact same words to "Chocolate City" in 1999 from two pre-teen African American girls from Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, it appears that this cheer may have disappeared {at least in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh where I live and work with children}.

"Long time no see" until the end of the cheer is a floating verse that was used in other foot stomping cheers and shows up at the end of a foot stomping rhyme from the 1980s "Hollywood Goes Swingin". that appears to have survived because it morphed into a partner handclap rhyme.


****

Azizi


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Kaleea
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 08:02 PM

I've also seen "Chocolate City" as the name of a candy shop as well as a beauty/barber shop which advertises that haircuts are available for "all nationalities." The owner refers to himself as being of the "Chocolate nationality." I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! His sister is a friend of mine who told me that she considers her nationality to be "American." I'm still trying to figure out what kind of haircut is appropriate for a gal of the Choctaw/Irish/Cherokee/English/Scottish/whatorwhoeverelsemyancestorsdid nationality.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 08:25 PM

Kaleea-

Love the end of your description of yourself:
"whatorwhoeverelsemyancestorsdid nationality"

LOL!


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 08:33 PM

I guess that was your dscirption or maybe it was the description that your girl friend uses, the same girl friend whose brother describes himself as "Chocolate".


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 08:50 PM

The old 1840s minstrel songs "New York Gals" and "Buffalo Gals" spawned a passel of imitators in the next 20 years. In California, "Hangtown Gals" and Sacramento Gals," and others elsewhere.
The women who migrated west, however, were not those sung about in the minstrel shows; the Sacramento and Hangtown Gals largely were a different kind of woman. The Buffalo Gals were different still,

The troops called Buffalo Soldiers, authorized in 1866, did not receive the name from the minstrel dittys, but from their occupation as troops of the frontier (as mentioned by Azizi).

The "Buffalo Gals" mentioned by Kaleea, different still, indubitably helped to bring change to the west. Similar white women, also searching for a life beyond the back-breaking labor of starvation farms and the cesspools of the cities, were important to the west- dance hall gals and biscuit shooters and all the others. Descendants of the Hangtown and Sacramento gals are found in many California and other western families.

John A. Stone (Put's Golden Songster of 1858) was a bit back-handed, but there was admiration for these tough, independent women in his verses:

To church they very seldom venture-
Hoops so large they cannot enter;
Go it, gals, you're young and tender,
Shun the pick and shovel gender.

Hangtown gals are lovely creatures,
Think they'll marry Mormon preachers;
Heads thrown back to show their features-
Ha, Ha, Ha! Hangtown gals.

More of the same in "Sacramento Gals."


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 01:11 PM

Anybody got a decent PM3 of Buffalo Gals (Can't you come out tonight) that they'd email me?

My wife needs to learn it to play Mary...


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,richard
Date: 25 Dec 08 - 02:48 AM

number on the 78 'buffalo gals' by arthur black and his orchestra, that mary puts on in 'it's a wonderful life' is 87256 hope this helps...


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: BuffaloChuck
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:59 PM

Much of the reported history I've seen about 'Buffalo Gals' is wildly contradictory. It's amazing how obscure the origins of this song are, especially given how deeply embedded it has become in American culture.

There is some firm consensus that the origin of the melody is an old German music hall song, "Im Grunewald, im Grunewald ist Holzauktion," and the tune itself was a commonly known oral tradition. As for the title and lyrics, there is much more ambiguity and disagreement. More often than not, however, research identifies 'Buffalo' as referring to the city, not the animal or soldier. This seems the most plausible origin for many reasons:

(1) The word 'Buffalo,' while always associated with the song, also became interchangeable with other place names (such as "Charleston Gals" or "Pittsburgh Gals," in order to appeal to the local audience), so any reference to the animal or soldier would be entirely inconsistent;

(2) "Christy's Minstrels," the group most associated with popularization of the tune, was started in Buffalo circa 1842-3 by E. P. Christy (originally under the name "Virginia Minstrels"), and there are accounts that they played this tune in the city's notorious canal district in those early years, during the heady days of the Erie Canal;

(3) There is consensus that 'Buffalo Gals' was adapted from the tune 'Lubly Fan, Will You Cum Out Tonight' by Cool White (John Hodges), copyrighted 1844, so the dates roughly correspond;

(4) Buffalo may have become the primary city name attached to the title because it was a common terminal point for the minstrel circuit stretching from New York city to Albany to Buffalo, and the city's name and frontier reputation made it an easy and appropriate substitute for performances of 'Lubly Fan.'

(5) The "Ethiopian Serenaders" minstrel group published their version of 'Buffalo Gals' in 1848, and Christy's Minstrels almost certainly had it in their repertoire by that year; and

(6) The sheet music for 'Buffalo Gals' was copyrighted quite early in 1848, by William Hall & Son, NY (author unknown).

Also, although this is anecdotal, Christy and White were both nationally famous (Christy being considered the most renowned of the early minstrels, with White being a close second), and even if they hadn't met during their groups' extensive travels, they would have certainly known about each other's work. Furthermore, it's interesting that Cool White and E.P. Christy both had the same hometown (Philadelphia).

I realize that, being from Buffalo, I'm inherently biased. But I believe the preponderance of evidence points to the city as the origin of the song's title and lyrics. Locally, there is cultural lore to support the theory; I've even heard the colorful rumor that the song refers to the, um, 'ladies' who worked in Buffalo's notorious Canal District. But this may be attributed to the embellishments of local legend.

In any case, I reserve the right to be wrong about any of this. I humbly invite corrections or comments!


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 06:14 PM

The Ethiopian Serenaders came over to Britain after about a year of their successful touring in the States and here they were also a great sensation. They were the Beatles of their day. That would have been about 1844 but I could easily confirm the date. I believe it is from this early impact many of the minstrel tunes were adopted for various uses in this country, perhaps even the Lancashire song posted above. Two minstrel tunes at some point in the mid 19thc became the staple tunes for the Flamborough Sword Dance in Yorkshire, near to where I live. One is 'Buffalo Gals' and the other is 'De Blue-tail Fly' which is one of the widest used tunes in England for all sorts of songs and ditties. They also in Flamborough have set words to these tunes and some of the comic words to 'Old Johnny Walker' (set to Buffalo Gals) are from much older songs adapted to the 'new' tune. 'Old Johnny Walker' can be heard on the Yorkshire Garland website
www.yorkshirefolksong.net where if I remember it is sung by the Cross family who were lifeboat members in Flamborough. The other tune will be uploaded onto the website in a few weeks, under the title 'William Brown'.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 08:29 PM

The UK dates for the Ethiopian Serenaders, has, I think been posted in another thread, but your c. 1844 is close enough.
Copies are in the Bodleian Collection, one printed in Birmingham c. 1845.
One set of broadsides with "Buffalo Gals" (G. Walker, Durham) is given the date range 1797-1834, but this is incorrect.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 09:07 PM

RE...(G. Walker, Durham) is given the date range 1797-1834, but this is incorrect. WHY?



We are blind and cannot see...



Please reveal your better source to me...



and the rest of the world


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 11:30 PM

I wonder if this link (click) to Bodleian Library Ballads will work. I was surprised to see an American song at Bodleian Ballads, and hadn't thought of looking there for American songs. The questioned G. Walker entry is at the bottom. I also question the 1797-1834, Q, but how are you certain it is incorrect?

-Joe-


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 06:54 AM

Buffalo Girls is the name taken for a dance band here. Specifically American Squares and Contra. One of the band used to run a session in the West Country that was styled "American".


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 06:03 PM

Buffalo Gals, as with many minstrel songs, spread rapidly around the English-speaking world as troupes, English and Australian as well as American toured the world.

The G. Walker entry date of --1834 doesn't fit since that is before any known performances of the song. As noted in threads linked above, it is based on the 1843 Cool White song, "Lubly Fan."


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 06:08 PM

I'm definitely with Q on this one. I'll check my dates for Walker though. Interesting!


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,craig
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 07:36 PM

i have a old minstrel songster book full of cool white and e.f.dixey photos and lyrics pretty neet stuff. dixey's songster published in 1860 in Philadelphia. it says cool white performed alot of these in sanfords opera house.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 26 Mar 10 - 04:11 PM

Here's my take on the 'Walker' problem. The Bodl has him finishing in 1834 because that's when he died/retired (not sure which) but his son, George Walker Junior then continued the business. Somewhere I have the 1839 catalogue of ballads obviously put out by his son. Walker jr was at Sadler Street, Durham from 1834 to 1886.
Addresses might help with dating. The father was at 'Market Place'.
The father was also at 'Claypath, Durham, c1827-28. Stock numbers used by Walker can also help, and associate printers like Livesey of Manchester and Williamson of Newcastle. He may also be related to William Walker printer of Otley, not a million miles away. There was also a William R Walker printing in Newcastle c1856-67 who may be related. Just to confuse the issue further there were also contemporary Walkers printing in Preston, Bradford and Norwich!!!


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 11:27 AM

I have not had the time to read all the perceptions, comments and/or explanations of what Buffalo girl is but from what I could read, they are all incorrect, some come close.

Buffalo Gal is a woman who is small, short, stocky and has heavy fat on her sholders, thick waisted with short, fat legs and when you look at her she reminds you of a buffalo. They may have been indian women in the old west that white men would sleep with for beads, drink, food, blankets or some other form of payment for services rendered. I am not trying to say bad things about native indians as I am part indian myself but please, if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck and looks like a duck than call it a duck.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Amos
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 01:21 PM

Guest DTM:

That's a very authoritative statement. How did you come by this knowledge? Is it part of a cultural legacy? If so, where? Or did you find it in some obscure tome? If so, which?

Inquiring minds want to know.


A


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,SteveG
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 02:45 PM

DTM
Whatever your sources for this are doesn't make it the definitive answer. The place name has a hell of a lot going for it despite what you say here.

If this is to be considered as a possibility it will need better verification than your say-so.

As for the Lancashire dialect piece/bothy ballad this also would need clear verification if anyone is claiming precedence for this. The greater likelihood is that these pieces are derived FROM Buffalo Gals/Lubly Fan.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Lighter
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 04:45 PM

Seems unlikely that the singer wants only chunky gals should come out.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 06:07 PM

I believe that it has been pointed out that touring minstrel shows changed the name and content of songs like this to please the audience in their current performance stop.
I'll go along with that.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Lighter
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 06:18 PM

Sorry for the bad grammar. Typed in a hurry.


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Subject: buffalo girls
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 05:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx1qsuHwplk&list=UU-GtPNIEDLICv5yKnirJAPghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx1qsuHwplk&list=UU-GtPNIEDLICv5yKnirJAPg


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 04:46 PM

I've had a look at the Walker broadside and it proves to be more significant in that its stock number is 3. Normally this would make it among the earliest of Walker's output. If it is c1844 then it has repercussions for dating of this Durham printer. I intend, when I have time, to look at other items printed by Walker that might be easily dated. I should I suppose start with the 1839 catalogue.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 05:16 PM

Found the catalogues for both Walker and his son, the son's dated 1839 and the father probably c1830 which are almost identical so GW Jr was mainly reproducing his father's stock at this point. Neither catalogue contains any copy of Buffalo Gals and stock number 3 has 2 different songs. The copies in the Bodleian flagged up by Joe have a look of about 1850 in print style and I would guess they are from a later series produced by GW Jr using a new set of stock numbers. The encasing of these stock numbers in square brackets may be significant. We are currently working on broadside printer dating and this should all be sorted out when we get round to it.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 01:16 AM

Understand it was revue song and Buffalo reference was the only version of the song that survived


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 11:36 AM

A buffalo gal was sought after in the pioneering days.

She had broad shoulders and could pull the plow when the mule was sick.
She had big jugs and wide hips and could drop ten kids before she was thrown away.


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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals
From: GUEST,Bette
Date: 27 Nov 15 - 02:49 PM

The tune for "Buffalo Gals" was related to the old Virginia tune "Midnight Serenade" (which has already been mentioned). Years ago I read that M.S., in turn, was related to an English song, "D'Ye Ken John Peel," but I can't find that reference now. The words for "John Peel" were written by John Woodcock Graves. I read in Wikipedia (my "source," ha) that JWG set it to a Scottish folk tune called "Bonnie Annie." But years ago I read somewhere that JWG said he'd set "John Peel" to a lullaby he had heard an old Scottish granny sing, something to the effect of "Go to Sleep, Annie." Of course it's possible that the granny was singing "Bonnie Annie" as a lullaby, but I would really like to know if there was another song that was a lullaby. I will say that the Scottish folk lullaby "Coulter's Candy" has a similar structure. ... I'm very interested in what the commenter said about "Bell Tune" from Lancashire. I can't find that anywhere either.


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Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T YA COMIN' OUT TO-NIGHT (V Dalhart)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jan 19 - 10:21 PM

You can hear this version at the Internet Archive. My transcription:


AIN'T YA COMIN' OUT TO-NIGHT
(Carson Robinson & Guy Massey)
As recorded by Vernon Dalhart, Columbia 257-D, 1924.

1. I got a little gal, she’s got a wooden leg,
Got a wooden leg, got a wooden leg.
I guess that’s the reason that they call her Peg.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight?
I got a little gal that lives on the hill,
Lives on the hill, lives on the hill.
She’s a moonshiner’s gal but I love her still.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight?

CHORUS: Oh, ain’tcha, ain’tcha, ain’tcha, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight,
Comin’ out tonight, comin’ out tonight?
Ain’tcha, ain’tcha, ain’tcha, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight
To dance by the light of the moon?

2. My little gal and me, we stood on the stoop,
Stood on the stoop, stood on the stoop.
Her dad came out and made me loop the loop.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight?
I got a little gal with freckles on her face,
Freckles on her face, freckles on her face.
I asked her where she got ‘em; said she got ‘em ever’place.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight? CHORUS

3. I got a little gal that thinks I’m a king,
Thinks I’m a king, thinks I’m a king.
Said she’d like to crown me and ev’rything.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight?
I got a little gal that’s long and thin,
Wart on her chin and her eyes turned in.
She’s a durned good girl for the shape she’s in.
Tell me, ain’tcha comin’ out tonight? CHORUS


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Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T YOU COMIN' OUT TO-NIGHT? (Dalhart)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jan 19 - 10:48 PM

There’s a slightly different version also on the Internet Archive:


AIN'T YOU COMIN' OUT TO-NIGHT?
(Robinson and Massey)
As recorded by Vernon Dalhart & Company, Edison 51430-L, 1924.

[This version contains one more verse and two more jokes than the version posted just above:]

I got a little gal that’s dumber than a mule (etc.)
She thinks Rex Beach* is a place to keep cool. (etc.)

I got a little gal that I tried to give a hint (etc.)
But what she said would never do to print. (etc.)


[* Rex Beach was a popular novelist.]


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Mudcat time: 27 September 9:22 AM EDT

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