"Goodnight Children, Everywhere" (Vera Lynn, 1940)

Most London children were evacuated to the countryside after the Second World War began in earnest--Vera Lynn recorded this morale-boosting song early in 1940 for the dispersed kids (and their parents back in the city).

There's more than a passing semblance to "The Best Things in Life are Free" in the tune's opening bars.

GOODNIGHT CHILDREN, EVERYWHERE

Goodnight children everywhere,
Your mummy thinks of you tonight
Lay your head upon your pillow
Don't be a kid or a weeping willow.

Close your eyes and say a prayer
and surely you can find a kiss to spare
Though you are far away
She's with you night and day
Goodnight children, everywhere...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Vera
• Lynn
• 1940
• Ambrose
• Orchestra
• Goodnight
• Children
• Everywhere
• Gabriel
• Rogers
• Harry
• Philips
• blitz
• London
• World
• War
• Two
• evacuation

[mrdee11091]

thank you for the post like the sound of the american band in this one sounds like glen miller band

[RReady555]

She's joined by the Ambrose Orchestra--the downbeat and trombone/muted trumpet arrangement does sound like the Miller Band.

Best,

-RR

[Jackman1919]

Thank You so much for this,

My grandfather wrote this,

I unfortunately never met him but it can give me an insight to his brilliant mind.

He was Harry Phillips by the way

[PatsyB1955]

This makes me sad as my late Mum was an evacuee and anything from that era makes me think of her.

[tmmy773]

Very sweet and lovely :)

[MrGoto7734]

Lovely lullaby.

[AGMorkie]

As an evacuee in 1939 (from Manchester to Wilmslow, Cheshire) I recall this song very well. It upset so many evacuees that the BBC Stopped broadcasting it,

[TheDavephillips]

My grandad was Harry Phillips too! He didn't write any music though as far as I know he died in 1947 at Woolwich Arsenal (at work). All of Vera's songs are brilliant though and bring back such memories. Thanks RR.

[MrDreamsandvisions]

Vera Lynn is one of the most beloved singers of hope during WWII

[Inesmytube]

bellissimo brano complimenti, anna.

[HowDareThey1970]

So lovely. Also sad I can no longer locate her beloved hit Auf Wiedersehn on youtube. However, I am grateful for what I can find here of her.

[tig1960]

@PatsyB1955 will be just th at stories 

[tig1960]

@PatsyB1955 and so sad that not so long from now that generation will be gone and taking with them not just the 1st and 2nd ww memories but the stories they told of the time of theirgrand par ents and for a rare few possblytheir great grandparents and being of the same generation as yourself we witnessed the tail end of a way of life unchanged for what seems like forever and even if we pass on these stories on to the children of now because life today has changed so much to them it ------

[AimeeUptonxD]

I am 13... And I really adore this song, and really really love Vera Lynn<3