<Tr> <Th> Composer (s) </Th> <Td> Walter Kent </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Lyricist (s) </Th> <Td> Nat Burton </Td> </Tr> <P> "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" is a popular World War II song composed in 1941 by Walter Kent to lyrics by Nat Burton . Made famous in Vera Lynn's 1942 version, it was one of Lynn's best - known recordings and among the most popular World War II tunes . </P> <P> The song was written about a year after British Commonwealth and German aircraft had been fighting over the cliffs of Dover in the Battle of Britain (1940). 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 in Europe (see The Darkest Hour). The lyrics refer to the RAF and RCAF fighter pilots (in their blue uniforms) as "bluebirds" and expresses confidence that they would prevail . 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 . There will probably never be wild bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover as the bluebird is not indigenous to Europe and is non-migratory . </P>

When was the white cliffs of dover written