Dame Vera Margaret Lynn (Vera Margaret Welch, 20 March 1917 - 18 June 2020)… Read Full Bio ↴Dame Vera Margaret Lynn (Vera Margaret Welch, 20 March 1917 - 18 June 2020) widely known as "the Forces' Sweetheart", was an English singer, songwriter and actress. Her musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during the Second World War.
During the war she toured Egypt, India, and Burma (Myanmar) as part of ENSA, giving outdoor concerts for the troops. The songs most associated with her are "We'll Meet Again", "The White Cliffs of Dover", "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "There'll Always Be an England".
She remained popular after the war, appearing on radio and television in the UK and the US and recording such hits as "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" and her UK Number one single "My Son, My Son". Her last single, "I Love This Land", was released to mark the end of the Falklands War. In 2009, at age 92, she became the oldest living artist to top the UK Albums Chart.
She has devoted much time and energy to charity work connected with ex-servicemen, disabled children, and breast cancer. She is held in great affection by veterans of the Second World War to this day and in 2000 was named the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th century.
On 20th March, 2017 Dame Vera celebrated her 100th birthday.
Vera Margaret Welch was born in East Ham, London. She began performing publicly at the age of seven and adopted her maternal grandmother's maiden name, Margaret Lynn, as her stage name when she was eleven. Her first radio broadcast, with the Joe Loss Orchestra, was in 1935. At this point she was being featured on records released by dance bands including those of Loss and of Charlie Kunz.
Vera Lynn made her solo recording debut with the song "The General's Fast Asleep" on the 3rd October 1935, accompanied by the Rhythm Rascals (A pseudonym for Jay Wilbur's orchestra). The 9" 78 rpm single was issued on the Crown Records label, which went on to release a total of 8 singles recorded by Vera Lynn and Charles Smart on organ. Early recordings include "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "Red Sails in the Sunset".
In 1938 the Decca label took over control of the British Crown label and the UK based Rex label, they had also issued early singles from Lynn in 1937, including "Harbour Lights". In late September 1939 Vera Lynn first recorded a song that continues to be associated with her: "We'll Meet Again" was originally recorded with Arthur Young on the Novachord.
In 1940 she began her own radio series, "Sincerely Yours", sending messages to British troops stationed abroad. In this radio show she and a quartet performed the songs most requested to her by soldiers stationed abroad. She also went into hospitals to interview new mothers and send messages to their husbands overseas. She toured Burma and gave outdoor concerts for soldiers.
In 1941 Vera Lynn married Harry Lewis, clarinettist, saxophonist and fellow member of Bert Ambrose's orchestra.
In 1942 she recorded the Ross Parker/Hughie Charles song "We'll Meet Again" while making the film of the same name. The nostalgic lyrics ("We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day") had a great appeal to the many people separated from loved ones during the war, and it became one of the emblematic songs of the wartime period.
After the war, her "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" became the first record by a British artist to top the US charts, doing so for nine weeks, and she appeared regularly on Tallulah Bankhead's US radio programme "The Big Show". "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart", along with "The Homing Waltz" and "Forget-Me-Not" gave Lynn a remarkable three entries on the first UK Singles Chart, a top 12 (which contained 15 songs owing to tied positions).
Lynn's career flourished in the 1950s, peaking with "My Son, My Son", a number-one hit in 1954. It was co-written by Eddie Calvert.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s the Decca label issued all of Lynn's records, including several recorded with Mantovani and His Orchestra in 1942 and with Robert Farnon, from the late 1940s. Firstly they were only available as 78 rpm singles, which only feature two songs an A and a B-side. In the mid-1950s Decca issued several EP singles, which featured between two and four recordings per side, such as Vera Lynn's Party Sing Song from 1954 and singles were issued on two formats the known 78 rpm 10" and the recently introduced 45 rpm 7" single. In the late 1950s Lynn recorded four albums at Decca, the first; Vera Lynn Concert remains her only live recording ever to be issued on vinyl.
In 1960, after more than 20 years at Decca Records, Lynn signed to the US based MGM Records. In the UK her recordings were distributed by the His Masters Voice label, later EMI Records. Several albums and stand-alone singles were recorded with Geoff Love & His Orchestra. Norman Newell also took over as Lynn's producer in this period and remained with her until her 1976 album Christmas with Vera Lynn. Recording at EMI Records up until 1977, Lynn released thirteen albums with material as diverse as traditional Hymns, pop and country songs, as well as re-recording many of her known songs from the 1940s for the albums Hits of the Blitz (1962), More Hits of the Blitz and Vera Lynn Remembers – The World at War (1974). In the 1980s two albums of contemporary pop songs were recorded at the Pye Records label, both including covers of songs previously recorded by artists such as ABBA and Barry Manilow.
In 1982 Lynn released the stand-alone single "I Love This Land", written by André Previn, to mark the end of the Falklands War. Lynn's last recordings before her retirement were issued on the 1984 album Vera Lynn Remembers, produced by her husband, Harry. The album featured 17 re-recordings of songs known and associated with Lynn over her career.
Lynn was awarded the British War Medal 1939–1945 and the Burma Star.
She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1969 New Year Honours "for services to the Royal Air Forces Association and other charities", and was advanced to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1975 Birthday Honours for charitable services.
In 1976 she received an honorary doctorate from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 1977 She was made an honorary citizen of Nashville, Tennessee. She received the Freedom of the City of London in 1978.
She was made a Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1985. She was made an Officer of the Order of Saint John (OStJ) in 1998 and, in 2000, Lynn received a special "Spirit of the 20th Century" Award.
A street named in her honour, Vera Lynn Close, is situated in Forest Gate, London.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
A preserved example of the WD Austerity 2-10-0 class of steam locomotives at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is named Dame Vera Lynn.
During the war she toured Egypt, India, and Burma (Myanmar) as part of ENSA, giving outdoor concerts for the troops. The songs most associated with her are "We'll Meet Again", "The White Cliffs of Dover", "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "There'll Always Be an England".
She remained popular after the war, appearing on radio and television in the UK and the US and recording such hits as "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" and her UK Number one single "My Son, My Son". Her last single, "I Love This Land", was released to mark the end of the Falklands War. In 2009, at age 92, she became the oldest living artist to top the UK Albums Chart.
She has devoted much time and energy to charity work connected with ex-servicemen, disabled children, and breast cancer. She is held in great affection by veterans of the Second World War to this day and in 2000 was named the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th century.
On 20th March, 2017 Dame Vera celebrated her 100th birthday.
Vera Margaret Welch was born in East Ham, London. She began performing publicly at the age of seven and adopted her maternal grandmother's maiden name, Margaret Lynn, as her stage name when she was eleven. Her first radio broadcast, with the Joe Loss Orchestra, was in 1935. At this point she was being featured on records released by dance bands including those of Loss and of Charlie Kunz.
Vera Lynn made her solo recording debut with the song "The General's Fast Asleep" on the 3rd October 1935, accompanied by the Rhythm Rascals (A pseudonym for Jay Wilbur's orchestra). The 9" 78 rpm single was issued on the Crown Records label, which went on to release a total of 8 singles recorded by Vera Lynn and Charles Smart on organ. Early recordings include "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "Red Sails in the Sunset".
In 1938 the Decca label took over control of the British Crown label and the UK based Rex label, they had also issued early singles from Lynn in 1937, including "Harbour Lights". In late September 1939 Vera Lynn first recorded a song that continues to be associated with her: "We'll Meet Again" was originally recorded with Arthur Young on the Novachord.
In 1940 she began her own radio series, "Sincerely Yours", sending messages to British troops stationed abroad. In this radio show she and a quartet performed the songs most requested to her by soldiers stationed abroad. She also went into hospitals to interview new mothers and send messages to their husbands overseas. She toured Burma and gave outdoor concerts for soldiers.
In 1941 Vera Lynn married Harry Lewis, clarinettist, saxophonist and fellow member of Bert Ambrose's orchestra.
In 1942 she recorded the Ross Parker/Hughie Charles song "We'll Meet Again" while making the film of the same name. The nostalgic lyrics ("We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day") had a great appeal to the many people separated from loved ones during the war, and it became one of the emblematic songs of the wartime period.
After the war, her "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" became the first record by a British artist to top the US charts, doing so for nine weeks, and she appeared regularly on Tallulah Bankhead's US radio programme "The Big Show". "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart", along with "The Homing Waltz" and "Forget-Me-Not" gave Lynn a remarkable three entries on the first UK Singles Chart, a top 12 (which contained 15 songs owing to tied positions).
Lynn's career flourished in the 1950s, peaking with "My Son, My Son", a number-one hit in 1954. It was co-written by Eddie Calvert.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s the Decca label issued all of Lynn's records, including several recorded with Mantovani and His Orchestra in 1942 and with Robert Farnon, from the late 1940s. Firstly they were only available as 78 rpm singles, which only feature two songs an A and a B-side. In the mid-1950s Decca issued several EP singles, which featured between two and four recordings per side, such as Vera Lynn's Party Sing Song from 1954 and singles were issued on two formats the known 78 rpm 10" and the recently introduced 45 rpm 7" single. In the late 1950s Lynn recorded four albums at Decca, the first; Vera Lynn Concert remains her only live recording ever to be issued on vinyl.
In 1960, after more than 20 years at Decca Records, Lynn signed to the US based MGM Records. In the UK her recordings were distributed by the His Masters Voice label, later EMI Records. Several albums and stand-alone singles were recorded with Geoff Love & His Orchestra. Norman Newell also took over as Lynn's producer in this period and remained with her until her 1976 album Christmas with Vera Lynn. Recording at EMI Records up until 1977, Lynn released thirteen albums with material as diverse as traditional Hymns, pop and country songs, as well as re-recording many of her known songs from the 1940s for the albums Hits of the Blitz (1962), More Hits of the Blitz and Vera Lynn Remembers – The World at War (1974). In the 1980s two albums of contemporary pop songs were recorded at the Pye Records label, both including covers of songs previously recorded by artists such as ABBA and Barry Manilow.
In 1982 Lynn released the stand-alone single "I Love This Land", written by André Previn, to mark the end of the Falklands War. Lynn's last recordings before her retirement were issued on the 1984 album Vera Lynn Remembers, produced by her husband, Harry. The album featured 17 re-recordings of songs known and associated with Lynn over her career.
Lynn was awarded the British War Medal 1939–1945 and the Burma Star.
She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1969 New Year Honours "for services to the Royal Air Forces Association and other charities", and was advanced to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1975 Birthday Honours for charitable services.
In 1976 she received an honorary doctorate from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 1977 She was made an honorary citizen of Nashville, Tennessee. She received the Freedom of the City of London in 1978.
She was made a Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1985. She was made an Officer of the Order of Saint John (OStJ) in 1998 and, in 2000, Lynn received a special "Spirit of the 20th Century" Award.
A street named in her honour, Vera Lynn Close, is situated in Forest Gate, London.
She was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity.
A preserved example of the WD Austerity 2-10-0 class of steam locomotives at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is named Dame Vera Lynn.
Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye
Vera Lynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Goodbye everybody, I'll do my best for ye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Goodbye everybody, I'll do my best for ye
The song "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye" is a classic wartime song written by Harry Parr-Davies, and popularized by Vera Lynn in the 1940s. The song speaks to the emotions of young soldiers going off to war and leaving their loved ones behind. The lyrics express a desire for courage, cheer, and encouragement as the soldiers set off on their dangerous journey. In the opening lines of the song, the soldier asks for the people left behind to cheer him as he goes, insisting that he wants no tears but only happiness in his departure. He asks for a smile that he can carry with him, reminding him of his loved ones while he is away.
The lyrics reflect the emotional strain and turmoil that characterized the period of war. The song encourages soldiers to hold on to the support and encouragement of family and loved ones as they go off to fight. It also reminds those who are staying behind to be strong, maintain a positive attitude, and continue to support their loved ones who are out fighting in the war. The song has a strong emotional connection, and since Vera Lynn's rendition became synonymous with World War II, it remains a popular song for departures even today.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Please wish me success as you say farewell
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Goodbye, I am starting my journey
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Please wish me success as you say farewell
Not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
Instead of tears, let's make it a joyful farewell
Give me a smile I can keep all the while
I would like a smile to remember during my travels
In my heart while I'm away
I will keep this smile with me while I am gone
'Till we meet once again, you and I
Until we meet again, let's say farewell on a positive note
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Please wish me success as you say farewell
Goodbye everybody, I'll do my best for ye
Goodbye everyone, I will try my hardest for all of you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY PARR-DAVIES, PHIL PARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@sr.cancao8977
Vera Lynn - Wish me luck, as you made me goodbye (1939)
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye,
Cheerio, here I go on my way.
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye,
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay.
Give me a smile
I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away.
Till we meet once again, you and I,
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.
Though I'm go on my way, don't feel so sad at heart,
Keep this lovely moment as a memory apart.
And before I go,
Please whisper soft and low,
Just once for me to hear,
The words, "I love you, dear!".
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye,
Cheerio, here I go on my way.
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye,
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay.
Give me a smile
I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away.
Till we meet once again, you and I,
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.
(Instrumental)
Give me a smile
I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away.
Till we meet once again, you and I,
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye.
@luna-nv4cd
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:05
Cheerio, here I go on my way 0:12
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:16
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay 0:22
Give me a smile, I can keep all the while 0:28
In my heart while I'm away 0:31
Till we meet once again you and I 0:34
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:39
Though I'm going on my way 0:44
Don't feel so sad at heart 0:52
Keep this lovely moment as a memory apart 1:00
And before I go, please whisper soft and low 1:06
Just once for me, the words "I love you, dear" 1:08
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 1:12
Cheerio, here I go, on my way 1:18
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay
Give me a smile, I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Give me a smile, I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
@mariapaula7666
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:05
Cheerio, here I go on my way 0:12
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:16
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay 0:22
Give me a smile,0:28 I can keep all the while 0:31
In my heart while I'm away 0:34
Till we meet once again you and I 0:39
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 0:44
Though I'm going on my way 0:52
Don't feel so sad at heart 0:55
Keep this lovely moment as a memory apart 0:59
And before I go, please whisper soft and low 1:06
Just once for me, the words "I love you, dear" 1:08
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye 1:12
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
With a cheer, not a tear, make it gay
Give me a smile, I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
Give me a smile, I can keep all the while
In my heart while I'm away
Till we meet once again you and I
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
@anniekyn7346
My incredible grandmother used to sing this song to me all the time while I was growing up - she loved to sing. She has severe dementia now and doesn't remember me anymore. I'm hoping that if I play her this it might bring back something. Thank you - this song is always going to be very dear to me.
@memyselfi9138
Anniekyn Bless you!! I know exactly how you feel. My grandmother has it too!! And she wants it playing at her funeral xxx
@patlindop2106
Anniekyn Same but mine is my grandad.He loved this song.i know how you feel.
This song was played at his funreal.Sorry for your loss.
@devinderp-
God bless her
@carpet7398
My grandad had it and didn’t remember me it made me sad and the fact dementia will kill them no matter what, he’s in heaven and I’m sure his memory is back up in there as he looks down :)
@MaDmanex100
Dementia is utterly cruel to life. But in the end we dont even own our memory. Perhaps its part of life too.
@jeanbeavers6983
This was played at my dad's funeral, 7 years ago. Everyone burst out laughing. He wanted laughter, so he got it
@shellybaby1621
Beautiful xx bless his soul 🤗
@jeanbeavers6983
@@shellybaby1621 Thank you. X
@shellybaby1621
@@jeanbeavers6983 your welcome xx