<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 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 . </P>

Who wrote bluebirds over the white cliffs of dover