Vera Lynn - When The Lights Go On Again.

A song of hope looking forward to the end of World War 2 and the Blackout, and soldiers returning home.
It's hard for those of us born later to fully understand the way the War affected everything.
My mom was evacuated to strangers in the countryside to be away from our city being bombed.
People went without foods we take for granted now...
and worst of all, many many lives of loved ones were lost or damaged.

[@seadog365]

I'm yet another of the commenters who revisited this because of A Haunting in Venice (and because it's a great song anyway)

[@raynriver5064]

Exactly hatte i habe done .. after the movie😊.

[@njimoses148]

I'm also here because of it and it's great stuff

[@madelainelandry4291]

When the film “A Haunting in Venice” opened with this, I teared up immediately. Just finishing my WWII novel about my father and an Italian woman he corresponded with until 1950. I often listen to Vera Lynn as I write.

[@cjscitcat]

Just come out of the cinema after seeing that film. My son and friend were smiling at me for crying as we sat and watched the credits. I think it make me think of my late parents too. As I know mum would have been singing it with me if she at been at my side.

[@shirleyblack4036]

So glad it wasn't just me who can appreciate this song, brought tears😢

[@goggerator16]

I was born in 1930 and lived in England during the Blitz. Thank you for these and for the wonderful old photos. When I was an evacuee and she sang Goodnight Children Everywhere it broke my heart.

[@TheDeepState2001]

Yr the first 90 year old I've seen on youtube

[@Carlos_Edd]

@@TheDeepState2001 yes

[@Watermillfilms]

We owe your generation a lot. Thank you!

[@ThatOneSandwichGuy]

@@Carlos_Edd His comment was from 6 years ago he's most probably no longer with us but still appreciate his comment

[@kelvinsurname7051]

@@ThatOneSandwichGuy I have had 90+ year old reply to me from a comment that was posted 12 years ago. So it is in fact possible.

[@uyennguyen7716]

I came here from the movie "A haunting in Venice" , really got impressed by the ending song.

[@youngkamerzysta8125]

me too

[@hamerl]

We are from Austria and we heard Vera Lynn's song. During WW2 we were little chrildren. My husband overcame the holocaust because he is Jewish. We are very impressed by some of these hopeful songs. We think it is necessary to spread hope again in these dark and dangerous times.

[@kelvinsurname7051]

God bless you both, may both of you have many more healthy years left on Earth. Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherdavis80]

So pleased you, so like many of my fr iends, survived the dr eadful Holocaust. May we hope for the same with t he Palestinians? My dear late brother John joined the"Paras' in 1944. He spent 2 years in Palestine as a Para, and came back.

[@user-dp48ry5]

Never heard this song before. Thanks to movie "A haunting in Venice" , I did now. Normally, I leave at the end of the movie as cast credits start scrolling up. But not today. I stayed glued to the song. What a touching song! Can move a man to tears. Movie is a masterpiece, too, but this song is at a whole different level. The visuals here remind the world of the madness of one deranged man who caused so much mayhem, death and destruction. It should serve as a lesson to citizens of every country not to elect an arrogant bully as their leader.

[@arcadew6381]

I'm only 19 years old and this is my favorite era for music. WW2 music truly exemplifies the power of art to fortify the human spirit in times of hardship.

[@lorenzosbrissa915]

+Kelsie Z I'm only 17 and I love the 1940s era of music

[@seannaylor5803]

Me too. I am 20 and I like also Sandie Shaw and Florence and the Machine as well as Vera Lynn

[@danpiner8250]

WE are being invaded ! A invasion requires that we secure the breach. Block the entry point and stop the flow of ILLEGAS..do we have the means to do this? He'll yes! It's called a WALL! BUILD IT ! Now!

[@spades1018]

Dan Piner What does that have to do with anything?

[@Lionk-lh3cm]

im 16 and i love this music too

[@fdcox]

My father served on a minesweeper in the Atlantic during WW II. He always said that when it was over, it was wonderful to sail past seaside towns and see all the lights on.

[@mandyjanis]

U for your Father's service ❤

[@peterhaan9068]

Funny how appropriate this seems when looking to the morass that the world has fallen into again. 15 March 2020

[@dangerfan2005]

I can't listen to this song without crying. Especially the line 'and when the rain or snow is all that falls from the sky' ... keeping in mind that tens of thousands of Britons were losing their lives from aerial bombing, an especially poignant line.

[@robertjohnson5838]

Crying right now, just heard this song in the new Hercule Poirot movie, had heard We'll Meet Again numerous times and it always gets to me (dad tried to sign up earlier for the Navy but couldn't make the minimum weight requirement so on December 8 1941 he ate a bunch of bananas on the way to the induction center, got on the scale, got into the Navy, got off the scale and barfed). Seeing some OTHER songs mentioned here, so glad for the comments.

[@Archimedes616]

@@robertjohnson5838 At the beginning of A Haunting In Venice when this song played, I knew exactly what the opening line was all about. My parents told me about the "blackouts" of US cities they participated in during WWII, keeping the lights off at night to make sure the cities wouldn't present a lighted target to a possible enemy bomber attack. The line about "rain or snow is all that falls from the sky" got to me too, and even though it referred to the Battle of Britain, I'm sure the Germans and Japanese were also happy that rain or snow was all that would be falling from the skies as well.

[@StevenTorrey]

RIP! Dame Vera Lynn passed away today, June 18, 2020.

[@agnescleary2312]

At every family celebration..weddings, christenings, anniversaries, etc...This was always played for gran and grandad. I'm 60 and when I was a kid, I didn't even know what it meant, but I knew all the words. This and "We'll Meet Again" always remind me of them dancing together and singing this song. Thanks for the upload.

[@LordSinues]

Monsieur Hercule Poirot brought me here 🧐

[@edwardbranca54]

Despite the new "wartime" restrictions, we will come through this COVID. 19 crisis. The lights will come on again, and our lives will return to normal.

[@rockycomet4587]

Time to get rid of Fauci and his ilk, then we will be free!

[@beatricemachata670]

A haunting in Venice brought me here, what a beautiful song

[@westhoboken8167]

Vera Lynn helped to win the war as much as anyone.

[@mintonreganhomes9454]

Vera Lynn and her songs just make my heart melt. Such courage displayed so simply by so many in such terrible times. A true inspiration for meeting today's challenges.

[@jovanweismiller9996]

My Mum was a bit older. She was drafted into war work in an aircraft factory. While there, she met my Dad, a Yank in the 8th USAAF. I heard many, many stories from her, my Nan and my Uncle, all of whom lived through it.

[@mzbikes]

Jovan Weismiller Yes indeed the great 8th did a great deal towards putting the lights on again over Europe. Heroically

[@Kinseydsp]

@hamerl May God bless and keep you for all of your trials these are songs of hope and I love them dearly. My Dad inlisted at age 17 to the Amry air corps and came home safe after the war. We are living in dangerous times and these songs tell the story

[@TheVote2010]

Happy VE Day everyone. A day for reflection, memories, tears and smiles.

[@Lepper36]

As of today, my part of the world is on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's to the lights going on again soon. Take care and be safe everyone.

[@caroltolhurst6260]

I was born just at the end of the war but there are somethings I remember.as a little girl. My playground was often rubble and the old "keep out" air raid shelters were fun. I remember the ration books but sometimes though goods came in it was hard times for many without money to buy them but we used our gardens. An orange in the bottom of our Xmas stocking was like a birthday. Can't say we were poor because everyone where I lived were in the same boat. Our town was opposite Tilbury Docks the largest used to ship food inland it was heavily bombed so our town took some hard pummelling. When I was about 7 and some of the rubble had yet to be cleared my mother took me to the river and pointed out her flat. It was in at the end of some terraced houses. She pointed up to the wallpaper that still clung to the wall the rest was gone. Just before it was hit she had gone to Coventry to friends because she had just become a war widow with my two brothers and grieving, (later my mother remarried that's when I came along) when she came back, and in her absence, it had been hit. Sadly, within a few short days Coventry was bombed and she lost all her friends. Alone, life was unbearable for her and she attempted to take her life giving the two babies 18mos and 3 yrs to a neighbour to babysit. It wasn't about keep smiling thru it was about survival some don't remember them being the good ole days. Real pain was the agony of the parents in shelters with children in school that day praying they made it to safety. Germany never made appointments. By wars end some estimated 67,000 civilians died almost as many injured, million and half made homeless and spilling orphanages (some kids became my mates) and rationing went on until 1954. Considering that the UK is small enough to fit into the state of California our losses were great. These songs are at once uplifting but so poignant, and for some agonizingly sad. Unless you've lived on an island that depends on imported food and supplies and a war in the backyard it's hard to envision the emotions. No, we never surrendered, but just so you know there were some who wanted to out of complete desperation. It seems that throughout the planet wars continue to be waged but only battles are won (or lost) and the wars rage on. Civilians losses are the enemies best weapon. PS have you noticed that women don't start wars.

[@xxjonboy]

Happy 100th birthday, Dame Vera. Your songs were magnificent, as was the era.

[@yogisuperman]

Vera really knew how to put a song across. There is a tear in her voice.

[@Verderer]

Talking about our American friend who referred to the shot at 2:09 - it was not unusual in heavily bombed areas here in England to see shops which had been severely bomb damaged in air raids displaying signs outside their premises half the walls and windows of which had been completely blown away by bomb blast simply saying: "We are more open than usual and still doing business". As you say - it could only happen here in England. We are strange lot - making the best of any bad times! :-)

[@Verderer]

My grandmother told me about one very dark night when she had to go out into the blackout at the start of the war when not even a very dim torch was allowed...she wanted to get to her son's house just along the street...she though she knew the area like the back of her hand but the blackout totally threw her,...she had NO idea where she was & that scared her even more than the air raid sirens & listening to the bombs falling from underneath her Anderson shelter with my grandfather.

[@PlaneNuts2024]

Our Vera Lynn is 98 years old now and is precious to us. Oddly Adolf Hitler had her on a death list to break the morale of the allies. Born in East Ham,Essex (not London back then) and lived in nearby Barking she is a darling of our people.

[@JillMaria]

Oh my, I wish I could get through one Vera Lynn wartime song without crying. No, I wasn't even born yet (my mother is a WWII baby), and I am not British, but her beautiful, soul-feeding songs are just as relevant and touching today as they were then. When I see newsreels and movies, and read books about the suffering and sacrifice the average Britsh civilian endured, much less her soldiers, I am humbled. I am an American, but I stand in awe of Great Britain. Bravo...

[@gailaspinall1688]

I was born in 1948, & my Dad would tell me all sorts of things. We should be grateful for living in a peaceful country.

[@barbarahazelwood2186]

​@@gailaspinall1688What Used to be a peaceful country, although it's nothing like wwll. No bombs yet, but the division & hate is sometimes, stifling! Ridiculous!

[@Kinseydsp]

God bless Vera Lynn she gave hope with her songs in a time of great fear and trial

[@laduqesa]

This song reminds me of my parents, simple, hard-working people, who gave all to save civilisation. My mother's eyesight went after years of work threading metal filaments into tank lightbulbs, my father was blown up by a shell and suffered all his life from the pieces left in his body. They didn't know of all the horrors happening, but the call came and they answered, as so many others did. To hear the song and think of my parents and what they gave up for me - us - brings more than one tear

[@Watermillfilms]

RIP Vera. The comments on your songs will forever continue. “And will go on again” and as will your songs. They will live on forever to remind us of your generation. I sang this song to my Nan before she passed away.

[@Klassen22]

A haunting in Venice. You welcome 😎🎉

[@MrRQBQ]

I hope the Ukrainians have someone like Vera to lift their spirits at this tragic time.

[@davewallace8219]

So ....well said!

[@peterbowing]

This song is about 1945 when people hoped that with the end of war they could enjoy some security and settle down and plan their lives. By today, 2014, only elderly pensioners could have experienced this direction. The rest of us has to experience this vicariously.

[@brendon769]

I talked to my grandmother about her war time experiences as a Land Girl here in New Zealand during the War before she died last year. This song is especially poignant when I think of how she told me the countries fears of imminent Japanese air raids. When all buildings had windows blacked out, street lamps had blinkers, and cars could only have one head lamp pointing downwards! I hadn't realised the country was so close to invasion and can only imagine how frightening it must have been

[@rockyj74426]

Thank you dear God, for giving us "the greatest generation" who put the lights back on all over the world.

[@cellobus2961]

16% of the American population put on a uniform then. You can't get 16% of the American population to agree on anything any more.

[@kittiesshortie5011]

@@cellobus2961sad …and true

[@Kinseydsp]

There are no words that can say how much this music means to me! Every year in June I go to the WWII weekend in Reading Pa dressed as a Col in memory of my Dad who was a tail gunner in a B-29 flying out of India over the Hump!

[@FranklinPUroda]

Brings back the memory of my mother singing this song while she did her housework.

[@kesjepoep]

love all her songs thanks !!!!!

[@AsellusPrimus]

Anyone else here after watching Bomb Girls?! I love this song. So haunting yet beautiful. It may have been made as a World War 2 song but it still applies as long as there is darkness in the world, which could be for a long time.

[@HMCS1941]

I myself had a brother fighting in Europe with the Brits, my sister was in the WAAC, i was in the navy, cousins fighting over in the pacific... this song reminds me of all of them

[@kelvinsurname7051]

Sir, are you still alive? Thanks you for your, family and your service. Without you, your family, and your comrades we wouldn't have the freedom. Forever will I be grateful. God bless you sir! Thanks you, I would love to hear some stories! Take care sir!

[@happygael]

Great woman great songs. I am a ww2 infantryman. She brings back lots of memories. God bless her.

[@chopinbloc]

Thank you for your service.

[@happygael]

You are more than welcome but I considered it an honor to serve.

[@chopinbloc]

happygael Me too, as did my grandfathers, but it's important to say it.

[@happygael]

And thank you for the service of you your grandfather and any other who put it on the line for this great country

[@TheDeepState2001]

I'm sure you are

[@waynemccart9027]

My mother listened to Vera Lynn and loved the hope and the smile's she brought to the boy's.

[@birdfatgreenbrat4057]

What a wonderful song

[@xloveXghoulx]

Love this song. I am fascinated by WWII era because even through all the scary, rough and dangerous times, people were still determined. I am awed by the English perserverance and determination during this time. I wish people now had that spirit more often.

[@mottledbrain]

I was born almost 13 years after the end of the war, but this song always gets to me. To consider a time when things were so desperate ... to have a song with this hope in it ... what a time my folks lived through.

[@VOIDSenseMusic]

Here's an interesting fact: Vera Lynn is still alive. I had no idea.

[@liamsmith3067]

Two years later. Still going

[@spades1018]

Almost 3 years later. Still kicking

[@Vimizim]

102 and she is still alive.

[@cellobus2961]

It meant something to her then. It should mean something to everyone now.

[@BobLucore]

She died today. 103 years old. A sad day, but perhaps we'll meet again.

[@ailsaeverson572]

we all wondered who would come home and who wouldn't this is a fitting song for them that did. Mine did but not for long he died from wounds from ww2. Miss him terribly and always will.

[@kelvinsurname7051]

@Alisa everson, my sincere condolences. God bless him and you. I hope you are still in good health, bless you. Thanks you for sharing.

[@Wizardary1]

Not heard this song before. Found a video of my late nan singing it. I’ve had it on all day. Gave me such comfort. ❤️ love you Nannie MB ❤️😇 forever.

[@Moneybaggbanda]

It was a different time, a time of courage, perseverance, and pride, she was at the forefront of it.

[@TheGyvel]

God bless you, Vera Lynn.

[@dseanmat]

With songs like this, we just HAD to win. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@toriwhitney2830]

My great grandpa will sing this but saying "When the lights go out again.." and hums when he turns off a light so I decided to google it and I am now crying it's the purest thing

[@josephbland3904]

My Father was in the RAF as a flight engineer on Lancaster’s during WW2.... he used to sing these old War songs.. If he heard them on television or radio he used to get misty eyed & reminisce about his old pals he flew with and times during the War... Tge pain showed on his face for a moment but then he’d smile at say he was glad it was all over & thankful he made it through those days. He used to talk to me about those days for hours... This reminds me of him. Such beautiful songs created & written out of tragic times... May we never forget the brave men & women of this country what they did for us...

[@graplingurty]

Still a wonderful song.

[@StevenTorrey]

Apropos all over again in 2022 for Europe and the World.

[@annikee59]

God Bless Dame Vera! Back on the charts in 2009~!!!

[@ranta70]

Absolutely beautiful rendition! Many thanks for posting.

[@craigbrowning9448]

They sung this song in a scene in Robert Altman's MASH, I just wanted to hear the original.

[@bramnicholson114]

What a beautiful song...I have been listening to this to learn it and I have been getting emotional just listening to the words, My husband and I will be performing next week to commemorate Armistice Day here in Australia and we will be doing all the old war songs but this will be the number one song in my opinion of the list of 20 songs that we will be performing on the day.I hope I can put as much emotion into it as Vera does.

[@chopinbloc]

Listening to this song and it strikes me how insulated from conflict we are. There is fighting all over the world now, just as there was then. Not at the same scale, of course, but fighting everywhere nonetheless. We can pretend as though there isn't, though. We can go about our lives oblivious to the sacrifices made by our service men and women and the atrocities committed by ISIS and the like. That wasn't the case for my grandparents' generation. Of course, both my grand dads were soldiers, and it was hard to ignore how most of the nation's men were gone, but it was more than that. Everywhere they looked, there was constant reminder of the fight. The song poignantly reminds us how measures like the blackouts affected every facet of their lives.

[@reneelyndamartinez1362]

Fitting for today, as well. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@windstorm1000]

Americans love this--but for Brits this song must take on special significance--

[@maz59]

yes, thank you, it does. Mainly because it was my mom's generation who were bombed - especially in the large cities, such as where she lived. As a child in the 1960's I used to play on the 'bomb pecks' (wouldn't be allowed these days of course).

[@mikegeremia]

I am 76 now and remember vividly allthese WWII songs when I was growing up during the war years. They are so nostalgic. Even though there was a war on, the world was a much better place right after it ended in 1945. America was at its zenith in the world and we (USA) was loved and respected and admired then. Those were our glory days and I am glad to have lived at that time. The old war songs bring tears to my eyes.

[@kelvinsurname7051]

Shirley Geremania are you still alive?

[@schpoingle]

Smoking one of grandpas lucky strikes. Stored in freezer. Never met him. Know his blood. Thanks giants. I stand upon thee

[@thegigilemay]

My mum was in the British Air force and had to take shelter in the Salvation Army in London...God bless them!

[@Eddy2730]

Unless I've said this already, I'm on the verge of tears when I hear this song for whatever reason. In other words, it's enough to turn a hard man into a softy, wolf into a puppy, and a lion into a kitten.

[@stuffydog]

The lights will always go on again.

[@seannaylor5803]

And will always stay on

[@deraldyancey9504]

Until they don't...

[@lilsaprano123]

Wonderfull song. I love Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields. I recently sang a ww2 song would you please take a look.

[@jovan66102]

God Bless Dame Vera on this Remembrance Day, 2011! She fought the War in her own way and was a major contributor to our victory over Naziism!

[@piper54alpha]

Thanks for the beautiful song, from the son of 1st Lt. Clifford C. Frederiksen, USAAF 441st troopcarrier, 302 sqn. Merryfield, England. This, and "White cliffs of Dover" were favorites of dad, and mom. I'm glad Vera is alive and well at 92, in the UK today!

[@lisawickham4993]

Takes me back to being a 👶 at my grandparents house and hearing this being played. I love it just as much now as I did then. I think we should remember times when our country was at war and respect and appreciate what our soldiers went through to ensure our freedom and world peace. Words can't express our gratitude but from our hearts we Thankyou. God bless

[@maz59]

The Military Wives Choirs (see them here on KZbin) are doing a great job, led by Gareth Malone, in singing songs of hope these days.

[@wadewalker5197]

love her

[@DavidNanol]

the film “A Haunting in Venice” brought me here

[@lelandthomas2708]

None of us could have done it without the Russians. I agree Britain took the brunt of Allied damage and fought brilliantly alone for 2 years, but if Hitler hadn't opened a second front, the Allies would have been hard put to prevail.

[@alih7801]

I wish I could go back in time just to see what it was like so I could fully appreciate and understand what those people went through

[@NathanAu]

Alison Hill Well, most people don't want to go back to that experience again.

[@alih7801]

good thing I said that about me not them then isn't it -.-

[@SaraJohnstone91]

Alison Hill Agreed. I want to see what it was like, even just for a day!

[@caroltolhursttolhurst3323]

Perhaps the day that my mother became a war widow at age 26 was told her (first husband) was killed and she was left with a 3 year old and 18 month old babies. But if you're interested in how the individual family lived their daily lives there is a BBC documentary called "1940's House" but, I'll add, that this is pretty much focused on the middle class and not the larger rest of us, but n common we all painted the line around the inside of the bath that indicated our water ration for once a week bathing. Also, "Goodnight, Mr Tom" starring the late John Thaw (inspector morse)

[@zzzbbbooo]

Simply beautiful and uplifting.

[@martinbergoffen2144]

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn? Remember how she said that We would meet again Some sunny day? Vera, Vera What has become of you Does anybody else in here Feel the way I do?

[@annemariefleming]

Vera....that voice brings a lump to my throat every time. THE voice of WW2.

[@theurbangentry]

Fantastic. GSTQ!

[@CascadiaPrepper]

Praying for Ukraine 2022...

[@chaskenny]

I saw Bernie Winters and Leslie Crowther sing this on television many years ago. They played the parts of Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen. They were perfect in their roles. A superb song.

[@RobertLocksley385]

My word, weren't they just! I recall that very well, Chas. Thanks for the memory. They were a part of the seventies line-up.

[@danielorsino7147]

Once again, hoping for peace in Europe 🕊

[@thepretenda]

1917-2020 VALE Vera Lynn

[@gailaspinall1688]

Look up the song "Silver Wings In the Moonlight" by Joe Loss & his orchestra with Elizabeth Batey singing. That song was my parents song..& Mom bought the record when Dad went overseas with the RCAF. I cry whenever I hear it. It was on an old 78rpm. When Dad's cremated remains were put in with Mom's, I put the record in there as well because I felt it fitting they should have their tune with them.

[@spyretosdar]

i just hope that the value of human life someday will be much grater... that innocent people won't die for the sake of profit... people should live in freedom without fear...

[@rubyreddy00]

Besides the music and her darling voice, it's worth watching for the pictures. I like the one where the house is going for 7/6 "As It Stands Or Offer"--grace and humour in adversity, it's why the world loved you, Brits! Well done. Thanks, maz59!

[@AzaniorTheZooted]

my nanny was born in 1938 so, she probably understands how it effected people

[@Userdfg-t8t]

Пришла послушать после фильма Призраки в Венеции.Но в этом видео звук не чёткий к сожалению но в других уже лучше

[@pkreport3793]

A hunting in Venice 🤌

[@barb3537]

as Jill just commented;Vera Lynn's songs were (and still are---as there are still wars going on and i doubt if they are finished or maybe ever will be!?)BEAUTIFUL AND SOUL-FEEDING--a very meaningful way to 'put it'.I was just a child 'then' but have ALWAYS loved hearing her sing with deep feeling and anyone who 'says' otherwise has NO idea how it was back then.

[@maryjeanbonar7361]

2020 the Pandemic. A few changs to the words would be our song.

[@johnhoward3042]

God Rest Her Soul. Poor Vera lived long enough to see England fall anyway.

[@cargowagon]

RIP Dearest Vera

[@Whoopdefuckingdoo16]

does anybody know what specific genre of music this is please? I'm trying to write an essay on her and the music...

[@Kinseydsp]

@hamerl May God continue to bless you, My dear Mother made us always watch the world at war when we were Kids so we would never forget those days. We are living in bad times now and I am glad she had the insite to make sure we saw those things and the terrible things that happen to people like you.

[@gailaspinall1688]

I remember my Dad telling me that when the order "lights out" came, they meant exactly that.."lights out!" People were told not to even light a cigarette as the light from the match or lighter, along with the cigarette, the enemy could see it.

[@Kidsgrove49]

Beautiful expression of wartime spirit during our darkest times. I wasn't born until 1960 but people's memories were still fresh as I grew up. I can sense some of their feelings.

[@maralimperi7117]

Vera Lynn fine singer and a hopeful song..