On the Way to Cape May

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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. The song's popularity emerged without the push of any major record label.

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History

The song circulated from one band to another around Cape May County in the second half of the 20th century. Early versions came from singers like Daddy Beans and Don Cornell. Cozy Morley advanced its popularity with his large local following. [1] The song became even more locally widespread when Al Alberts recorded it and increased its broadcast exposure on radio and TV. [2]

The song has become popular in a variety of 21st century media, including XM satellite and internet radio, and also enjoys regular airplay on many Delaware Valley AM and FM stations.

Lyrics

The lyrics are about a love story and journey which begins with the intro mentioning Ocean City. Traveling southward, the lyrics then continue with mentions of Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Wildwood leading to talks of marriage around the town of Cape May Court House. The lyrics never specifically mention Cape May. While Cape May is the destination in the lyrics, the song's theme is more about the journey through Cape May County.

Comedian Cozy Morley, who owned a nightclub in Wildwood for many years and where a life-size statue of him now stands in front of the club, 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 Collingswood, New Jersey, and retired to Wildwood.

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Cape May County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Much of the county is located on the Cape May peninsula, bound by the Delaware Bay to its west and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and east. Adjacent to the Atlantic coastline are five barrier islands that have been built up as seaside resorts. A consistently popular summer destination with 30 miles (48 km) of beaches, Cape May County attracts vacationers from New Jersey and surrounding states, with the summer population exceeding 750,000. Tourism generates annual revenues of about $6.6 billion as of 2018, making it the county's single largest industry. The associated leisure and hospitality industries are Cape May's largest employers. Its county seat is the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township.

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