Shine On, Harvest Moon
| "Shine On, Harvest Moon" | |
|---|---|
 Cover, sheet music, 1908 | |
| Song | |
| Language | English |
| Published | 1908 |
| Composer(s) | Nora Bayes |
| Lyricist(s) | Jack Norworth |
"Shine On, Harvest Moon"is a popular early-1900s song credited to the marriedvaudevilleteamNora BayesandJack Norworth.It was one of a series of moon-relatedTin Pan Alleysongs of the era. The song was debuted by Bayes and Norworth in theZiegfeld Folliesof 1908 to great acclaim. It became a pop standard, and continues to be performed and recorded in the 21st century.
During the vaudeville era, songs were often sold outright, and the purchaser would be credited as the songwriter.John Kenrick'sWho's Who in Musicalscredits the song's writers asEdward MaddenandGus Edwards.However, David Ewen'sAll the Years of American Popular MusiccreditsDave Stamper,who contributed songs to 21 editions of theZiegfeld Folliesand was Bayes' pianist from 1903 to 1908.[1]Vaudeville comicEddie Cantoralso credited Stamper in his 1934 bookZiegfeld - The Great Glorifier.[2]
The earliest commercially successful recordings were made in 1909 byHarry MacdonoughandElise Stevenson(Victor16259),Ada JonesandBilly Murray(Edison10134),Frank StanleyandHenry Burr(Indestructable 1075), andBob Roberts(Columbia668).[3]
Lyrics
[edit]
First verse
[edit]The night was mighty dark so you could hardly see,
For the moon refused to shine.
Couple sitting underneath a willow tree,
For love they did pine.
Little maid was kinda 'fraid of darkness
So she said, "I guess I'll go."
Boy began to sigh, looked up at the sky,
And told the moon his little tale of woe
Chorus
[edit]Oh, Shine on, shine on, harvest moon
Up in the sky;
I ain't had no lovin'
Since April, January, June or July.
Snow time ain't no time to stay
Outdoors and spoon;
So shine on, shine on, harvest moon,
For me and my gal.
Note: The months in the chorus have been sung in different orders.
The Ada Jones and Billy Murray recording linked on this article has it asApril, January, Ju-u-une or July.[4]
Flanagan and Allen,Moon Mullican,Mitch MillerandLeon RedboneusedJanuary, February, June or July.
Oliver Hardy,in his rendition fromThe Flying Deuces,usedJanuary, April, June or July.
Second verse
[edit]I can't see why a boy should sigh when by his side
Is the girl he loves so true,
All he has to say is: "Won't you be my bride,
For I love you?
I can't see why I'm telling you this secret,
When I know that you can guess. "
Harvest moon will smile,
Shine on all the while,
If the little girl should answer "yes."
(repeat chorus)
Film and television connections
[edit]The song has had a long history with Hollywood movies. In 1932,Dave Fleischerdirected an animated short titledShine On Harvest Moon.A 1938Roy Rogerswestern wasnamed after the song,as was a1944 biographical filmabout Bayes and Norworth.
The song has been featured in dozens of movies, includingAlong Came Ruth(1933) andThe Great Ziegfeld(1936).Laurel and Hardyperformed a song-and-dance routine (Hardy singing and both dancing) to the song in their 1939RKOfilmThe Flying Deuces.The song was also featured inA Tree Grows in Brooklyn(1945),The Eddy Duchin Story(1956), andPennies from Heaven(1978). There was also a popular British 1980s comedy drama calledShine on Harvey Moon.The song was featured in the 2013 video gameBioShock Infinite.It was referenced byDon Ricklesin the 1971Friars Clubroast ofJerry Lewiswhen he said, "Just hope and pray, Shine on Harvest Moon they know." In the 1952I Love LucyepisodeThe Benefit,the song is referenced and the chorus is sung. And Gidney and Cloyd the moon creatures performed the first line of the refrain on an episode ofRocky and His Friendsin 1959–60, but sang "Shine on Harvest Earth". The song was also sung in the pilot episode of the Cartoon Network miniseriesOver the Garden Wall.The Backyardigansepisode "The Key to the Nile" featured a song called "Please and Thank You" to the tune of this song.
Other recordings
[edit]- 1931- byEthel Waters.
- 1931–Art Gillham's piano recording of the song for Columbia (No. 2374D) on January 5, 1931[5]was praised byWalter Winchell
- 1931–Ruth Ettingrevived the song in theZiegfeld Follies
- 1931–The Boswell Sistersrecorded their own arrangement of the revived hit on August 27, 1931 for Brunswick Records (No. 6173).[6]
- 1933–Kate Smith
- 1939–Laurel and Hardyperform it in their filmThe Flying Deuces
- 1949–Vaughn Monroeon Victor 1705
- 1950–Chordetteson Columbia LP 6111Harmony Time
- 1951–Jerry Grayand his orchestra (recorded August 24,Decca Recordscatalog number 27868[7])
- 1954–John Serry Sr.and his accordion ensemble forRCA Thesaurus[8]
- 1955–Four Aces"B" side to their #1 hit "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"
- 1955–Moon Mullicanperformed the song live
- 1957–Bonnie Guitaron Dot LP 25069Moonlight And Shadows
- 1957–Coleman HawkinsandBen Websterboth perform sax in a nearly five-minute jazz version on the albumColeman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster
- 1958–Mitch Millerrecorded it in a medley with "For Me and My Gal"on the albumMore Sing Along With Mitch
- 1958–William Frawley,who portrayedFred MertzonI Love Lucy,recorded the song as part of his LP homage to Vaudeville,Bill Frawley Sings the Old Ones
- 1958–Billy Vaughnon Dot LP 25156Billy Vaughn Plays
- 1959–The Ink Spots
- 1960–Jaye P. Morganon MGM 12924
- 1960–Teresa Breweron Coral LP 57329Naughty Naughty Naughty
- 1960–Rosemary Clooneyincluded in her albumRosie Solves the Swingin' Riddle!.
- 1960–Bing CrosbyandRosemary Clooney.They recorded the song in 1960[9]for use on theirradio showand it was subsequently included in the CDBing & Rosie - The Crosby-Clooney Radio Sessions(2010).[10]
- 1961–Bing Crosbyincluded the song in a medley on his album101 Gang Songs(1961)
- 1961-Isley Brotherswith Ray Ellis & Orchestra
- 1962–Plattersfor their albumSing of Your Moonlight Memories.[11]
- 1963–Nino Tempo and April Stevenson Atco LP 156Deep Purple
- 1964–Allan Shermanparodied the song as "Shine On, Harvey Bloom" on his albumFor Swingin' Livers Only!
- 1965–Mance Lipscombrecorded the song live forArhoolie RecordsonTexas Songster in a Live Performance
- 1976–Leon Redbonerecorded the song for his albumDouble Time
- 1989– Eight-year-oldBritney Spearssang a rendition of the song in her video audition for theMickey Mouse Club.
- 1992–Kirsten CookeandArthur Bostromperform it as the charactersMichelle DuboisandOfficer Crabtreein the sitcom'Allo 'Allo!(Season 8 Episode 7).Carmen SilveraasMadame Edithalso sings the number during the closing credits of the same episode.
- 2005–Bobby Barerecorded the song as part of his albumThe Moon was Blue
- 2007–Marahrecorded the song for their EP,Can't Take It with You
- 2012–Lon Milo DuQuetterecorded it along with 11 originals onBaba Lon II
- 2017–Mreerecorded her own rendition of the song as "Harvest Moon"
- Liza Minnellialso performed the song many times as part of her repertoire, and it appears on several of her recordings.
- Al Jolsonhad sung the song a few times on some radio shows, though the most notable version is when he was on anNBC Kraft Music Hall Radio Broadcastwith actor, comedian, and pianistOscar Levant.
- Norman Brooksalso recorded the song a few times on his various “Sings Al Jolson “albums.
References
[edit]Notes
- ^Ewen, David (1977).All the Years of American Popular Music.Prentice Hall.p.189.ISBN0-13-022442-1.
- ^Cantor, Eddie;David Freedman (1934).Ziegfeld, The Great Glorifier.A.H. King. p. 78.
- ^Whitburn, Joel (1986).Pop Memories 1890-1954: The History of American Popular Music.Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p.578.ISBN0-89820-083-0.
- ^Herder, Ronald (1998).500 best-loved song lyrics.Courier Dover Publications. p. 315.ISBN978-0-486-29725-5.Retrieved2010-08-16.
- ^"The Online Discographical Project".78discography.com.RetrievedMarch 25,2020.
- ^"The Online Discographical Project".78discography.com.RetrievedMarch 25,2020.
- ^Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series
- ^Eastman School of Music - University of Rochester - Sibley Music Library: John J. Serry Sr. Collection "John Serry Sextette" Audio recording for RCA Thesaurus of arrangements and performances by John Serry at the RCA Victor Sudios in 1954 p. 18 The John J. Serry Sr. Collection archived at the University of Rochester
- ^"A Bing Crosby Discography".BING magazine.International Club Crosby.RetrievedDecember 9,2017.
- ^"allmusic.com".allmusic.com.RetrievedDecember 9,2017.
- ^"discogs.com".discogs.com.RetrievedMarch 25,2020.
