Keep The Home Fires Burning

dauntless · **Posted:** Nov 11, 2008 10:22 pm

To mark the 90th anniversary of Armistice, Katie Melua has recorded a special version of the World War I classic Keep the Home Fires Burning, especially for Radio 2.

I heard this live on BBC Radio 2 this morning I dont know if this is the best section to post this..... (I hope so)

please all enjoy, if you have already heard it enjoy again.

(clip opens up in real player)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/wogan/ram/katiemelua.ram

Pablo · **Posted:** Nov 11, 2008 10:31 pm

Thanks. Of course this is the right section for it; every song has its own thread here :approve:

I like the song, though mainly because it's Katie who sings it. It's not generally the style of music I like, it's too formal, too ceremonious for my taste. Like an anthem. But Katie's wonderful voice makes up for all that!
I haven't paid close attention to the lyrics yet, will do so in a few minutes.

Does anyone know anything more about this song? Where is it from? What is it about? I gathered it's got something to do with WWI, but that's all I understand at the mo.

MelvilleB · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 8527

Keep The Home Fires Burning

Reproduced below are the lyrics to the hugely popular wartime song written in 1914, Keep The Home Fires Burning, music by Ivor Novello and words by Lena Ford. The song is also popularly known as Till The Boys Came Home.
The obvious sentimentality of the song lent it increased popularity for families at home than to soldiers serving on the various wartime fronts.
The song's tremendous success brought Ivor Novello overnight fame, launching a hugely successful post-war career; although he also served with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) as a pilot from 1916.

They were summoned from the hillside
They were called in from the glen,
And the country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardships
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song:

Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.

Overseas there came a pleading,
"Help a nation in distress."
And we gave our glorious laddies
Honour bade us do no less,
For no gallant son of freedom
To a tyrant's yoke should bend,
And a noble heart must answer
To the sacred call of "Friend."

Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.

Pablo · **Posted:** Nov 11, 2008 10:55 pm

Thanks!

Mariska · **Posted:** Nov 12, 2008 7:35 am

good meaning of the song, katie song it beautifully,not a big fan of the music to classical.

duw1427 · **Posted:** Nov 12, 2008 8:06 am

At this song I don't know which feeling is stronger. The tears in my eyes or the goosebumps.

It is such a fantastic song :love:

MelvilleB · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 8527

Unfortunately it is not likely to be released because it is a recording done especially for the BBC.

JosCR66 · **Posted:** Nov 12, 2008 10:37 am

Pablo wrote:

I like the song, though mainly because it's Katie who sings it. It's not generally the style of music I like, it's too formal, too ceremonious for my taste. Like an anthem. But Katie's wonderful voice makes up for all that!

My feelings exactly. In fact, her voice sounds really mature and confident, giving it the right gravitas to express the emotions which the lyrics (and the occasion) entails. :approve:

KEWA · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 9360

MelvilleB wrote:

Unfortunately it is not likely to be released because it is a recording done especially for the BBC.

I hope, Dramatico will one day.

Wasn't it the same with Q viteli potlebi and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Cry Baby Cry???

Lepton · **Posted:** Nov 13, 2008 12:53 pm

qviteli potlebi still hasn't been released on CD, or did I miss something? :scratch:

KEWA · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 9360

No, but sung live in a concert

Patrick71 · **Posted:** Nov 13, 2008 1:10 pm

I think with this song it´s the same as a few years ago with "white cliffs of dover". She sung it for the remembering day only and will never sing it again. No chance of a release or of a performance in any concert, I fear.
So let´s be happy that we could download it here in the forum

KEWA · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 9360

hopefully not. Katie, pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase play it once more, as well as White Cliff of Dover

Ronald · **Posted:** Nov 13, 2008 10:25 pm

Great song, hopefully she plays this again some day

KEWA · **Joined:** Mar 25, 2008 **Posts:** 9360

I don't know why, but as more I liste to the song as more I get a Christmas feeling.

Could it be the B-side for the Christmas Charity Single, as HYAMLC for WAWW???

Patrick71 · **Posted:** Nov 14, 2008 11:01 pm

Patrick71 wrote:

I think with this song it's the same as a few years ago with "white cliffs of dover". She sung it for the remembering day only and will never sing it again. No chance of a release or of a performance in any concert, I fear.
So let´s be happy that we could download it here in the forum

But back to the song itself: The way Katie sings it is absolutely breathtaking. Wonderful, superbe :approve:

But you should never listen to it if you´re in a melancholic mood.
It must be very hard to avoid the tears then.

Siocnarf360 · **Posted:** Nov 15, 2008 3:38 pm

It's not the kind of music I'm used to listen to, but Katie sings it very beautifully, and it's great she's been chosen to sing it :approve:

As I listen to it once more, I like it more than the first time!

kyraaah · **Posted:** Nov 23, 2008 11:31 am

It's beautiful!! The music itself is new for her (haven't heard it before) but it matches quite well!
She's soooooo wonderful (as is this song)

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