Bing and Gary Crosby With Matty Matlock's All Stars: "Moonlight Bay" (Words by Edward Madden - Music by Percy Wenrich, 1912) Vocal Duet with Orchestra. Decca records, 1951.
The song has been adapted and arranged, but this is not credited on the label of the 7-inch 45 rpm record. The extra words could have come from Bing (who previously had written introductory verses), or perhaps from some uncredited lyricist who wanted to maintain a working relationship with Bing.
The label credit "Featured in Warner Bros. Picture 'On Moonlight Bay'" suggests that perhaps the main purpose of this single was to provide publicity for the 1951 motion picture. (Bing appears to have been under contract to Paramount Pictures at that time.)
"Moonlight Bay" has been recorded by many artists, including Doris Day, Deanna Durbin, Billy Vaughn, and Lawrence Welk.
The original words from 1912:Voices hum, crooning over Moonlight Bay
Banjos strum, tuning while the moonbeams play
All alone, unknown they find me
Memories like these remind me
Of the girl I left behind me
Down on Moonlight Bay
We were sailing along
On Moonlight Bay
We could hear the voices ringing
They seemed to say:
"You have stolen her heart"
"Now don't go 'way!"
As we sang love's old sweet song
On Moonlight Bay
Candle lights gleaming on the silent shore
Lonely nights, dreaming till we meet once more
Far apart, her heart, is yearning
With a sigh for my returning
With the light of love still burning
As in of days of yore
