“Blue Moon of Kentucky” is a waltz written in 1945 by bluegrass musician Bill Monroe and recorded by his band, the Blue Grass Boys. The song has since been recorded by many artists, including Elvis Presley. “Blue Moon of Kentucky” is the official bluegrass song of Kentucky.

In 2002, Monroe’s version was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. In 2003, CMT ranked “Blue Moon” number 11 in its list of 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music.
Monroe’s earliest-known performance of “Blue Moon of Kentucky” was on the Grand Ole Opry broadcast of August 25, 1945. He first recorded it for Columbia Records on September 16, 1946 at The Wrigley Building in Chicago, Illinois. That recording was released in early 1947. At the time, the Bluegrass Boys included vocalist and guitarist Lester Flatt and banjoist Earl Scruggs, who later formed their own bluegrass band, the Foggy Mountain Boys. Both Flatt and Scruggs performed on the recording, although Bill Monroe supplied the vocals on this song.

Released 1947
Genre Bluegrass
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Bill Monroe

Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys ‎– Blue Moon Of Kentucky Lyrics

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and proved untrue
Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue

It was on a moonlight night
The stars were shining bright
And they whispered from on high
Your love has said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and proved untrue
Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue

It is on a moonlight night
The stars shining bright
They whispered from high
Your love has said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and said good-bye