On this day in 1909 Shine On Harvest Moon became a hit for Ada Jones and Billy Murray. The song had originally debuted as a number during the Ziegfeld Follies of 1908 when performed by the writers, husband and wife team Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. It has been recorded and performed by various artists and continues to be so, as recently as 2017 when Mree recorded her own version called Harvest Moon.

Shine on Harvest Moon

1st Verse

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

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.

2nd verse

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.”

Chorus

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.

Composed by Nora Bayes, lyricist Jack Norworth

Perhaps the most famous versions are those recorded by Laurel and Hardy, this wee version (the chorus) come from their movie The Flying Deuces (1939). The Original recording by Ada Jones and Billy Murray (1909) is below, with Mree’s Harvest Moon (2017) below it.