During the so-called “War Years”—1939 to 1945 for the UK and Europe, 1941 to 1945 here in the US—the swing era was, well, in swing. Songs were written, published, recorded, played on the radio, and performed on both sides of the Atlantic and, indeed, all over the world. Nearly everyone in uniform and at home whistled or hummed or even sang these tunes during the day and danced to them at night. There are hundreds of these songs out there and certainly worth a musical musing during this day when we commemorate the British Canadian, French, American and other Allied forces landing on the beaches of Normandy eighty years ago on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
Where to start?
Soldiers and sailors in those days often enjoyed singalongs in mess halls and clubs and while working. Men being men, however, they often laughed at and quickly discarded the official songbooks published for the morale of the troops.
They made up and preferred their own versions. But, needless to say, gentle readers, most of these are parodies of “official” songs and are much more silly, sexy, and scatological than those in the books–definitely NOT suitable for one of these simple musings of mine!
But, here’s one of those silly songs that has a D-Day backstory. As troops began to move from their transport ships into the landing craft that would take them ashore through the mine-filled and machine-gunned waters leading up to the Normandy beaches, some tried to ease their nerves by singing.
Many veterans of the landings remember hearing—and singing along—the catchy chorus of one of the more popular songs of the day, “The Hut Sut Song.”
Click or tap on the triangle in the next image to listen to this silliness that, somehow, soothed.
These were also the days for dozens of popular songs played and danced to by soldiers and sailors and their girlfriends such as . . .
Click or tap on the triangles in the next three images for a look and listen.
The British contributed many of the more memorable songs of the day, many of which brought the weight of the war home.
Click or tap on the triangles in the next couple of images for a look and listen.
And, of course, there were dozens of songs written about the uncertainties of those days, especially the partings.
Click or tap on the triangle in the next couple of images for a listen.
Silly songs soothed in those days but sober songs bring history home today. Click or tap on the triangle in the next image to hear a song written and performed by a British sailor who was THERE.
And, of course there is that great song that ended just about every movie, radio, USO show, or performance for most of the war years, “We’ll Met Again.”
Click or tap on the triangle in the next image to hear this song made famous by the beloved British “sweetheart of the services,” Vera Lynn.
This is one musical musing that could go on and on. There are just too many songs that each tell a story in their own way, silly or soothing or sad. All contribute, however, just like those who waded ashore that day and those that remain there today.
It’s a history of sand and song. STAY TUNED.
NOHOBANJO OF NORTHAMPTON, AND NOW EASTHAMPTON, "MUSICAL MUSINGS" 