A Brief History of “Skip to My Lou” 

“Skip to My Lou” is a traditional American folk song from the 1840s, originally used as a lively partner-stealing dance game at social gatherings.

Its name comes from the Scottish word “loo”, meaning “love”, making the phrase “skip to my lou” a playful invitation to skip to one’s sweetheart. Popular on the American frontier, especially during President Lincoln’s youth, the song was sung while couples danced in a circle, with one person in the center choosing a new partner. Over time, it became a beloved children’s rhyme, known for its catchy rhythm and whimsical lyrics like “fly in the buttermilk, shoo fly shoo”