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"On The Way To Cape May" is a song by Maurice "Buddy" Nugent. It is a Jersey Shore sound summertime anthem for the Philadelphia, Delaware Valley, and South Jersey areas.
History
The song circulated from one band to another around Cape May County in the second half of the 20th century. Early versions were sung by singers like Daddy Beans and Don Cornell. Cozy Morley popularized it among his large local following. Al Alberts recorded it and increased its broadcast exposure on local radio and TV.
The song has been played through a variety of 21st-century radios, including XM, Internet and Delaware Valley AM and FM.
Lyrics
The lyrics are about a love story and journey which begins with the intro mentioning Ocean City. Traveling southward, they mention of Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Wildwood leading to talks of marriage around the town of Cape May Court House. While Cape May is the destination in the lyrics, the song's theme is more about the journey through Cape May County.
In popular culture
Comedian Cozy Morley, who owned Club Avalon, a nightclub in North Wildwood from 1958-89 and where a life-size statue of him now stands in front of the site of the club (which was demolished in 1989 and is now Westy's Irish Pub), made "On the Way to Cape May" his signature song and performed it many times during his acts in the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas. Morley lived in Haddon Township, New Jersey and retired to North Wildwood. He and his wife Bobbie also owned a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
References
- via Associated Press. "Shore funnyman 'Cozy' Morley; Club owner was Wildwoods icon", The Record, August 28, 2013. Accessed May 31, 2020.
- Cape May County Herald obit for Alberts, dated 2009-11-29 Retrieved 2010-08-28
External links
- "On the Way to Cape May" lyrics at Genius.com
| Cape May, New Jersey | |
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| Landmarks | |
| Transportation | |
| Education | |
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| Culture | |
| This list is incomplete. Cape May Lighthouse and Cape May Airport are in Lower Township Cape May diamonds are found at Cape May Point. Cape May Bird Observatory has facilities in Cape May Point and Middle Township. Currently the Cape May Warbler birds live outside of Cape May. Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Cape May merged into what became Wildwood Catholic Academy. | |