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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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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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: Lighter Date: 27 Jan 12 - 06:18 PM Sorry for the bad grammar. Typed in a hurry. |
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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 - 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: 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: 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,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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST Date: 18 Nov 09 - 09:07 PM RE...(G. Walker, Durham) is given the date range 1797-1834, but this is incorrect. WHY?
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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,
Little accademic remaining in the forum - consult past threads for references. |
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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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST,Hootenanny Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:49 AM I don't believe anyone has yet mentioned the pop song of the 1940's/maybe early 50's, same tune: Dance with a dolly with a hole in her stockin' Knees keep a knockin' Toes keep a rockin' Dance with a dolly with a hole in her stockin' Dance by the light of the moon |
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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 09 Feb 04 - 11:09 PM Christy's Nigga Songster (pp. 44-45) also has a song called "New York Gals" sung by T. G. Booth's Kentucky Minstrels, but it is not related to "Buffalo Gals." |
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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 09 Feb 04 - 10:52 PM I opt for the local-performer's-geographical adatptation.
No notation of "buffalo gal" is in The Randon House HISTORICAL DICTIONARY of AMERICAN SLANG J. E. Lighter, Volume I (A-g)
While the tune varies..... the theme is consistant for all girls in Amsterdan, New York and Buffalo....
We have a master's thesis....going once.....going twice.... (oh hell...no master's needed....nor theory....nor talent....just a well stoned mind capable of dismissing 99.7% of the world thrust in her face.....and working with the "dangerous minds."
Sincerely, |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BUFFALO GIRLS From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 09 Feb 04 - 10:20 PM Lyr. Add: BUFFALO GIRLS Christy's Nigga Songster ca. 1850 As I was lumbering down the street, O down de street, O down de street, Dat pretty color'd gal I chanc'd to meet, O, she was fair to view. Oh, Buffalo gals, wont you come out to night, Wont you come out to night, Wont you come out to night, O de Buffalo gals wont you come out to night, And dance by de light ob de moon. Den we stopp's awhile and had some talk, O we had some talk, O we had some talk, And her heel cover'd up the whole sidewalk, As she stood right by me. Oh Buffalo gals, etc. I'd like to kiss dem lubly lips, Dem lubly lips, Dem lubly lips, I think dat I could lose my wits, And drap right on de floor. Oh Buffalo gals, etc. I ax'd her would she go to a dance, Would she go to a dance, Would she go to a dance, I thought that I might have a chance, To shake my foot wid her. Oh Buffalo gals, etc. I danc'd all night and my heel kept a rocking, O my heel kept a rocking, O my heel kelt a rocking, And I balance to de gal wid a hole in her stocking, She was the prettiest gal in de room. Oh Buffalo gals, etc. I am bound to make dat gal my wife, Dat gal my wife, Dat gal my wife, O, I should be happy all my life, If I had her along wid me. Oh Buffalo gals, etc. pp. 96-98, Christy's Nigga Songster, ca. 1850. Every minstrel troop probably had a version if the Cool White song and dance; new verses frequently substituted. It wasn't long before the song obtained folk variants in both black and white communities. http://jefferson.village.edu. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BUFFALO GALS (1848) From: Jim Dixon Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:10 AM From The Library of Congress American Memory Collection: [This is one of 18 songs bound together with a cover that says:] THE ONLY CORRECT & AUTHORIZED EDITION. MUSIC OF THE ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS [A minstrel troupe.] BUFFALO GALS [1848] 1. As I was lumb'ring down de street, Down de street, down de street, A handsome gal I chanced to meet. Oh! She was fair to view. CHORUS: Buffalo gals, can't you come out tonight? Can't you come out tonight? Can't you come out tonight? Buffalo gals, can't you come out tonight And dance by de light ob de moon? 2. I ax'd her would she hab some talk, Hab some talk, hab some talk. Her feet covered up de whole sidewalk As she stood close to me. 3. I ax'd her would she hab a dance, Hab a dance, hab a dance. I taught dat I might get a chance, To shake a foot wid her. 4. I'd like to make dat gal my wife, Gal my wife, gal my wife. I'd be happy all my life If I had her by me. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals From: GUEST,Paul Date: 27 Apr 03 - 08:13 PM Does anyone know the name of the artist(s) who performed the version of Buffalo Gals on "It's a Wonderful Life." In the movie a 78 RPM record was played. Is there such a record? If so, who was the artist? Does anyone know where one can buy this 78 RPM record? Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Buffalo girls From: Richie Date: 13 Dec 02 - 11:18 PM Kim, Here's more: The "Buffalo" name can be changed to any city's name, and was used as New York Gals. "Round-Town Girls/Gals," "Alabama Girls/Gals," are two of the most popular. "Portsmouth Airs" and "Bear Creek Hop" have the same melody. |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Buffalo girls From: Kim C Date: 13 Dec 02 - 10:09 AM Something I read somewhere said that it was common for the singers to insert the name of whatever town they were in at the time, and it just happened to be Buffalo that stuck. Either way, it's a fun, lively tune. :-) |
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Subject: RE: Origins: Buffalo girls From: Richie Date: 13 Dec 02 - 07:50 AM Here's some info: NOTES: The name Buffalo for the New York town derives from the name of a Native American and was first called Buffalo Creek, becoming simply Buffalo as the town grew. The tune is widespread in American tradition, though as Samuel Bayard (1944) points out, the song is widely disseminated and is now an 'international melody'. Curiously, he thinks the air itself probably originated in Germany, but came to America and was assimilated in 'British style'. Instrumental versions, not surprisingly, are more ornate than vocal settings and display much wider variation, as a comparison of the sources listed below will attest. "Version B ('Johnstown Gals') affords a good example of how the influence of common melodic formulae, combined with tendencies toward attaining easy bowing and fingering will modify the outlines of a tune in instrumental tradition. Version A ('Hagantown Gals') is much like some recorded further south; B is in some ways distinctive. Sets from American tradition are Lomax, American Ballads and Folk Songs, pp. 288-289; Ford, p. 53; Adam, No. 12; and three playparty versions from Texas in Owens, Swing and Turn, pp. 45, 54, 103. (Bayard, 1944). See also "O Dear Mother My Toes Are Sore " [3] for a 6/8 version ('A' part only). In America it is one of the most frequently mentioned fiddle tunes of the entire repertory. It appears listed in the early 20th century repertories of such geographically disparate Arizona fiddler Kenner C. Kartchner and Union County, Pa., fiddler Harry Daddario. Musicologist/Folklorist Vance Randolph recorded the tune from Ozark Mountain fiddler for the Library of Congress in the early 1940's. Cauthen (1990) says the tune had folk origins but was published in 1848 as a minstrel tune. "It was already well known in the gulf town of Mobile, Alabama, in 1846, where a woman who had once been "a flower, innocent and beautiful but long since turned from its stem, trampled, soiled and desecrated" was arrested for drunkenly singing 'Mobile gals, won't you come out tonight' on the streets" (pgs. 13-14). Bronner (1987) says that although the tune had a long traditional history its popularity in America stems from its use in the 19th century popular theater. In the 1840's one Cool White (real name: John Hodges), a blackface performer, sang a tune called "Lubly Fan, Won't You Come Out Tonight" with the popular minstrel troupe the Virginia Serenaders. He claimed to have composed it, and credit is often given to him, but it was first printed on sheet music in New York in 1848 with "author unknown." Alan Jabbour found a tune called "Midnight Serenade" in George P. Knauff's Virginia Reels, volume IV, printed in Baltimore in 1839, that is a set of "Buffalo Gals," and since it preceeds the minstrel era or at least publication of "Lubly Fan," he suggests the tune was at the time in oral tradition at least in the Upland South. -Richie |
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Subject: RE: Help: Buffalo Gals From: EBarnacle1 Date: 08 Aug 02 - 03:53 PM There are too many examples of folk tunes being slightly recast and taken over by so-called authors to consider any answer definitive at this point. As Baron Munchausen used to say "Wuz you dere, Sharley?" It's all interesting and it's all speculation. |
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