Buffalo Girls

This week’s songs for old folk songs. 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.