The Lamp Is Low is a 1939 vocal pop tune adapted from Maurice Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte. The original music is by Maurice Ravel, with English lyrics by Peter De Rose and Mitchell Parish, published by Robbins Music. It was first recorded by Mildred Bailey and Her Orchestra on April 24, 1939 and reached No. 30 that year. The composition weaves the main theme of Ravel’s Pavane into a popular song, and early recordings include Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra with the Harry James Orchestra. The Pavane itself was first released in 1941 by Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra. A 1962 Tony Bennett recording with Ralph Sharon was made for On The Glory Road, though the album release was canceled; the track later appeared in Bennett’s 2011 Complete Collection.
