"When They Sound the Last 'All Clear'" (Vera Lynn, 1941)

The "All Clear" was the siren sounded at the end of an air-raid--to mark the departure of the last enemy bombers. Thankfully, it's a sound (and even a phrase) unfamiliar to today's youth.

Britain was still subject to periodic air attacks when Vera Lynn and the Montovani Orchestra recorded this song in 1941--music by Hugh Charles, lyrics by Louis Elton:

WHEN THEY SOUND THE LAST "ALL CLEAR"

When they sound the last all clear,
How happy my darling we'll be,
When they turn up the lights,
And the dark, lonely nights,
Are only a memory.

Never more we'll be apart
Always together sweetheart
For the peace bells will ring
And the whole world will sing,
When they sound the last all clear.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vera
• Lynn
• 1941
• when
• they
• sound
• the
• last
• all
• clear
• blitz
• siren
• bombers
• Hugh
• Charles
• Louis
• Elton
• Montovani

[sceneaddict032106]

thank you so very much! all we need is the lyrics and were set cause nobody has the full version of the lyrics but THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[RReady555]

You're very welcome! Glad to be of help, friend. :)

-RR

[mrdee11091]

thank you another classic another charm

[RReady555]

You're most welcome, Paul--a true gem, and an amazing period. May future generations be spared the sirens' wail...

Best,

-RR

[Francis1930]

Having lived through the blitz in London, I can tell you that I heard the "all-clear" siren sound more than once. You are wrong in one respect. We were bombed sporadically from 1939 until 1944. The heaviest raid I lived through was when the blitz was "over" on 27 December 1941 - called the 2nd great fire of London. Thanks for the memory, even as a 10 year old I remember hearing Vera Lynn on the wireless. Oh what memories.

[gotabemad]

the sweetheart of the force's may her voice echo for ever

[harryandsimba]

The melody sounds similar to "I wonder who's kissing her now" which was,

amazingly,first recorded in 1909.

[talochIV]

@RReady555 They will ONLY if they remember what went before and what a gigantic price their freedom cost. If they don't, the nightmare WILL be repeated. If this happens, I hope that the generation facing it will be made of the same stuff as Vera and her pals. God bless them all.

[Corrie121]

I just started school in 1941, and this song brings back memories of this time - like having to attend school carrying a gas mask and the frightening sound of the sirens.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.

[rafawings]

. . . . and the ANZAC variation . . . When they send the last Yank home, How lonely some women will be. When they turn out the lights, There'll be long, lonely nights, All those good times just a memory. Evermore they'll be alone, Those women no Aussie would own. All they'll have are some clothes And a kid who talks through its nose, When they send the last Yank home

[rafawings]

When they sound the last all clear, How happy my darling we'll be, When they turn up the lights, And those sad lonely nights, Are only a memory. Never more we'll be apart Always together sweetheart For the peace bells will ring And the whole world will sing, When they sound the last all clear.

[bohrokthunder]

it just expresses the sadnes of war and what happend on that sad and terrible day

[Fablife2000]

This is simply one of her best ever.

[bloootube]

@IPMVerlag Das meine ich auch, meine Freundin. (Ich bin Amerikaner.) We - of my generation - are the sons and daughters of those who served and sacrificed in that terrible war, and day by day we see more and more of them pass into eternity. This beautiful song - one of my favorites of the genre - is a musical message of Hope for those of us - Brits, Germans, Yanks and of all nations, who yearn for that glorious day "When They Sound the Last 'All Clear.'" Moege Gott Sie segne, IPM. Thanks, "555"

[firefighterno1]

Long live Dame Vera, she represents everything great about Britain.

[IPMVerlag]

My heart as well and I am a German , a woman but I cried, when I heart this song. Oh I feel so sorry, what happend in those days, even I was not born. Bless you