Shine on...

Last night's Harvest Moon

 

 

 

Of course, I had to look it up just to see how long this song has been around and I learned that  "Shine on, Harvest Moon" is an early 1900's song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth.  It was one of a series of Moon-related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era.  The song was debuted by Bayes and Norworth in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1908.  It became a pop standard and continues to be performed and recorded even in the 21st century.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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."

 

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.

 

(The months in the chorus have been sung in different orders.  Mitch Miller and Leon Redbone used January, February, June or July.)