Jack Norworth

American songwriter, singer and vaudeville performer.
(5 January 1879 - 1 September 1959).

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Norworth is credited as co-writer of a number of Tin Pan Alley hits. He wrote the lyrics of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (music by Albert Von Tilzer) in 1908, his most long lasting hit. But it wasn't until 1940 that he actually witnessed a Major League Baseball game. His "Shine On, Harvest Moon" was an even bigger hit at the time. There is some disagreement about Norworth's involvement in the latter. Broadway historian John Kenrick credits Edward Madden and Gus Edwards, while the family of Follies songwriter Dave Stamper claims he wrote the song while working as pianist for Nora Bayes, who is the officially credited co-writer with Norworth.

Other popular songs credited to Norworth include "Back to My Old Home Town"; "Come Along, My Mandy"; "Dear Dolly"; "Good Evening, Caroline"; "Holding Hands"; "Honey Boy"; "I'm Glad I'm a Boy/I'm Glad I'm a Girl"; "I'm Glad I'm Married"; "Kitty"; "Meet Me in Apple Blossom Time"; "Over on the Jersey Side"; "Since My Mother Was a Girl"; "Sing an Irish Song" and "Smarty." "Turn Off Your Light, Mr. Moon Man" is a sequel to "Shine on, Harvest Moon."

In 1908 he married Nora Bayes, with whom he performed in vaudeville.