Buffalo Gals Painting

Buffalo Gals is part of Paula McHugh’s series of paintings inspired by the titles of American and Celtic fiddle tunes and folk songs. This painting features 3 young woman frolicking hand-in-hand along the lakeshore on a warm summer evening creating dancing shadows under a full moon. Buffalo Gals, the song, was written and published as “Lubly Fan” in 1844 by the blackface minstrel John Hodges. Many versions of this song exist with different place names, “New York Gals,” “Boston Gals,” “Buffalo Gals” being the most popular. The song was used in the 1948 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” 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.