’We’ll meet again’: Vera Lynn’s anthem of hope through the ages

Dame Vera Lynn, whose song We’ll Meet Again became an anthem of hope and resilience during the second world war, has died aged 103. Lynn’s wartime popularity was boosted by the signature song released in 1939 and written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles. Its wistful melody and determinedly optimistic lyrics – ’I know we’ll meet again some sunny day’ – proved powerfully uplifting for departing soldiers, and it has endured as the defining song of the British campaign. It re-entered the UK charts this year at No 55 amid the 75th anniversary celebrations of VE Day. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► Dame Vera Lynn, singer and ’forces’ sweetheart’, dies aged 103 ► Support the Guardian ► Today in Focus podcast ► The Guardian YouTube net