No surprise, originally this is an old Hawaiian song with new English lyrics. The host of the radio program, "Hawaii Calls", Webley Edwards wrote the lyrics with the composer of "Tiny Bubbles" Leon Pober in 1962. The Hawaii Calls Orchestra and Chorus introduced "Pearly Shells" (Pupu O Ewa) on the world wide radio show and recorded the song that same year.

I can't say enough good things about this entertainer but I can add to what is already on this blog. From the 1964 album "Burl Ives Sings Pearly Shells and Other Favorites" Burl hit the top fifteen Adult Contemporary chart and midway on the pop chart with "Pearly Shells" (Webley Edwards - Leon Pober).