Brass Ensemble - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.791042

Composed by Walter Kent. Arranged by Kevin P Holdgate. Contemporary. Score and parts. 5 pages. Kevin P Holdgate #4967009. Published by Kevin P Holdgate (A0.791042).

Versatile Brass Old Time Collection

The song was written about a year after the Royal Air Force and German aircraft had been fighting over southern England, including the white cliffs of Dover, in the Battle of Britain. Nazi Germany had conquered much of Europe and in 1941 was still bombing Britain. With neither America nor the Soviet Union having yet joined the war, Britain was the only major power fighting the Axis powers in Europe (see The Darkest Hour). The American lyricist, Nat Burton, wrote his lyric unaware that the bluebird is not indigenous to Britain and asked Kent to set it to music. Notable phrases include Thumbs Up! which was an RAF and RCAF term for permission to go, and flying in those angry skies where the air war was taking place.

The lyrics also looked towards a time when the war would be over and peace would rule over the iconic white cliffs, Britain's symbolic border with the European mainland.

The song was made most famous by Vera Lynn and sung to troops during the war. It was a top ten hit in America for Kate Smith in 1942, and Glenn Miller recorded a version in November 1941.

Jimmie Baker frequently performed it in Europe during the war, and the song was sung by the vocal group The King's Men on a 3 February 1942 episode of the Fibber McGee and Molly Show. Ray Eberle and Tex Beneke also included it in their repertoire.

This is a simple arrangement of the song playable by all levels of ensemble.