Written in 1903 and credited to the married Vaudeville team, Nora Bayes & Jack Norworth and performed by them, \"Shine On Harvest Moon\" was probably written by Dave Stamper who was Bayes pianist when the song was written and who contributed songs to 21 editions of the Ziegfeld Follies.
This song has proved to be popular throughout the 20th century and into the 21st.
Like so many songs of the Vaudeville/Music Hall era, the chorus is very well known, but the verses less so.
The lyrics of the original chorus were slightly different to the ones that became popular later in the century, for where we now sing:
\"I ain’t had no lovin' since January, February, June or July\", the original lyrics were: \"I ain’t had no lovin' since April, January, June or July\" as can be attested to if you listen to recordings by Ada Jones and Billy Murray from 1908, and Ruth Etting from 1931 and the Boswell Sisters in the same year.
I think that the newer version makes more sense, and fits the tune better anyway, so that is what I am singing in my own interpretation.
Shine On Harvest Moon
Credited to Nora Bayes & Jack Norworth (1903) but probably written by Dave Stamper.
Capo at 1st fret
A D
Snow time ain’t no time to sit outdoors and spoon
G C E7
So shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me n’ my gal
Am E7
The night was mighty dark so you could hardly see, ‘cause the moon refused to shine
Am D
There’s a couple sittin' ‘neath the willow tree, for love, they pine
F C
Little maid was kinda ‘fraid of darkness, so she said I think I’ll go
D G E7
Boy began to sigh, looked up in the sky and told the moon his little tale of woe, oh
Am D
Shine on, shine on harvest moon, up in the sky
G C
I ain’t had no lovin’ since January, February, June or July
A D
Snow time ain’t no time to sit outdoors and spoon
G C E7
So shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me n’ my gal
Am E7
I can't see why the boy should sigh when by his side is the girl he loves so true
Am D
All he has to say is, 'Won't you be my bride? For I love you.'
F C
Why should I be telling you this secret when I know that you can guess?'
D G E7
Harvest moon will smile, shine on all the while if the little girl should answer, 'Yes.'
