Shine On, Harvest Moon is a popular early-1900s song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes (1880–1928, photo at left) and Jack Norworth (1879–1959). The song was debuted by them to great acclaim in the lavishly produced revue Ziegfeld Follies of 1908 on Broadway in New York.
During the vaudeville era, songs were often sold, and the purchaser would be credited as the songwriter when songs were published. It might even have happened when Shine On, Harvest Moon appeared as sheet music in 1908.
For this reason, it has been speculated that Bayes’ pianist from 1903 to 1908, Dave Stamper, might have written the song. At least he is known to have contributed songs to 21 editions of the annual Ziegfeld Follies.
However, since no other claim has been ascertained, the names of Bayes and Norworth have persisted throughout all the years when this has been a popular song. It became a pop music standard, and continues to be performed and recorded quite frequently.
The lyrics state that ‘Snow time ain’t no time to stay
outdoors and spoon’. So Autumn, when harvest takes place, would be just perfect. Also, there has been no loving since January, February, June or July.
These months have been sung in different orders. Billy Murray in an early recording chose April, January, June or July. Others have used January, February, June or July. Oliver Hardy, in his rendition in the 1939 movie The Flying Deuces, chose January, April, June or July.
Performing with a singer? Complete lyrics are available here:
The sound clip is computer generated using sampled sounds (AI). Transcriptions and descriptions are not AI generated.
Shine On, Harvest Moon is a popular early-1900s song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes (1880–1928, photo at left) and Jack Norworth (1879–1959). The song was debuted by them to great acclaim in the lavishly produced revue Ziegfeld Follies of 1908 on Broadway in New York.
Performing with a singer? Complete lyrics are available here: 
