East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) (song)

"East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)" is a popular song written by Brooks Bowman, an undergraduate member of Princeton University's Class of 1936, for the 1934 production of the Princeton Triangle Club's production of Stags at Bay. It was published in 1934 and soon became a hallmark of the Princeton Tigertones, one of Princeton University's all-male a cappella groups. The standard is also sung by the Princeton Nassoons, Princeton University's oldest a cappella group.

"East of the Sun" was first recorded by Hal Kemp for Brunswick Records on Dec. 1, 1934. A favorite song on campus, it has been arranged in many different formats, and continues to be featured on student group albums as recently as 2010. Since the 1950s the song has become a popular staple of many jazz musicians.

Lyrics

East of the sun and west of the moon, We'll build a dream house of love, dear.

Near to the sun in the day

near to the moon at night, We'll live in a lovely way, dear

Living on love and pale moonlight.

Just you and I, forever and a day,

Love will not die, we'll keep it that way,

Up among the stars we'll find

A harmony of life to a lovely tune,

East of the sun and west of the moon, dear,

East of the sun and west of the moon.

Recorded Versions
One of the first recordings was by Arthur Tracy on September 22, 1935 according to CD jacket of ASV Living Era Hits of '35, CD AJA 5185. Sarah Vaughan recorded it in a 1949 Columbia session for the album Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi. Charlie Parker recorded it as early as 1952; it is featured on numerous albums, including two renditions on The Complete Legendary Rockland Palace Date 1952. Benny Goodman recorded a memorable version with his sextet, also in 1952; this performance is included on Benny Goodman Sextet. Stan Getz recorded it in 1955, and it was featured as the first track on his seminal double album The West Coast Jazz. One of the most popular recordings was by Louis Armstrong, featured in his 1957 double-album I've Got the World on a String. The Four Freshmen recorded it on their album Four Freshmen and Five Saxes (1957). Keely Smith recorded it in 1958 for her Capital album, Politely with Billy May & His Orchestra. Lee Wiley recorded it for "West of the Moon" (1958). Ella Fitzgerald included this on her 1959 Verve release Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers with the Frank De Vol Orchestra and Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet. Frank Sinatra recorded it on I Remember Tommy (1961). Al Hirt released a version on his 1962 album, Trumpet and Strings. Ellis Marsalis Recorded the song in the Wynton Marsalis album of 1991, Standard Time Vol. 2. Tony Bennett recorded the song on his 1992 tribute to Sinatra Perfectly Frank. Betty Carter recorded the song on her 1996 album I'm Yours, You're Mine. Diana Krall recorded the song on her album When I Look in Your Eyes (1999) and again on Live in Paris (2002).

Other versions recorded include: Guy Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Tommy Dorsey, George Shearing, Dakota Staton, Lester Young, Scott Hamilton (1993), Stacey Kent (1998), Sonny and Perley (1999), Alexis Cole (2005), Rebecca Parris (2007), and Joshua Redman (2007).