The music was written by composers Peter DeRose and Bert Shefter, adapted from Pavane pour une infante défunte, a composition by Maurice Ravel.
Mildred Bailey made the first notable recording of "The Lamp is Low" for Vocalion Records (catalog No.
[1] Covers by various other musicians quickly followed, including one by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (vocal by Jack Leonard) recorded on May 1, 1939 on Victor Records (catalog No.
The song continues to be a favorite of jazz musicians.
[3] Some samples of the Laurindo Almeida version were used by Nujabes to record Aruarian Dance in the 2004 Samurai Champloo Music Record: Departure album, one of the soundtrack albums from the anime Samurai Champloo.