Keep the Home Fires Burning - Poetry and Pop Music
Release Date: 05/31/2025
Christmas Special 2025 - White Christmas - A Song of Home, Hope and Hidden Heartache
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this Christmas special episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine unwrap one of the most iconic songs of the wartime era - Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” They trace the remarkable life of Berlin, from his childhood as a Jewish immigrant fleeing persecution, through the bustle of Tin Pan Alley, to becoming one of America’s most prolific and patriotic songwriters. Along the way, they explore his astonishing output, his service during both world wars, and the deeply personal losses that shaped his music - including the hidden grief many believe lies...
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The A to Z of Wartime Song
In the final episode of Series 1 of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine end their alphabetical adventure with a swing - quite literally - as they explore Glenn Miller’s 1942 smash hit (I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo. Written by Harry Warren and Mac Gordon, the song became a wartime favourite thanks to Miller’s irresistible big band sound, Tex Beneke’s smooth vocals and an unforgettable film appearance in Orchestra Wives featuring the dazzling Nicholas Brothers. Lili and Tom unpack the song’s irresistible energy, the history of its writers, and why...
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You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To - Cole Porter: Paris Parties and Broadway Bangers
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine turn their attention to Cole Porter’s romantic 1943 classic "You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To". Written for the film "Something to Shout About", the song quickly became a wartime favourite, speaking to the longing of couples separated by service and distance. Lili and Tom trace Porter’s glittering - and often scandalous - life, from Yale fight songs and Parisian parties to Broadway triumphs like Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. They also explore the many unforgettable recordings of this tune, including...
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X Me Goodnight Sergeant Major - and Other Tipsy Tunes
The A to Z of Wartime Song
Finding a wartime song beginning with “X” was always going to be a challenge … so in true cheeky music-hall style, Lili Redman and Tom Carradine have bent the rules and chosen the comic classic Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major. First recorded in 1939 by Ambrose and his Orchestra, this lighthearted tune quickly became a wartime favourite, poking fun at army life while giving troops and civilians alike something to laugh (and sing) about. In this episode, Lili and Tom explore the careers of bandleader Ambrose, vocalist and trombonist Les Carew, and the pseudonymous songwriters behind the...
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Wartime “When …” Songs - Songs of Hope and Homecomings
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine take a special detour into the many songs of the 1930s and ’40s that begin with the word “When”. From the poignant hope of When They Sound the Last All Clear and When the Lights Go On Again (All Over the World), to the transatlantic charm of When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano and the early nostalgia of When the Poppies Bloom Again, these songs capture the wartime longing for peace, reunion, and better days ahead. Along the way, Lili and Tom explore the songwriters behind these tunes - from Denmark...
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La Vie en Rose - Piaf, Passion and Occupied Paris
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the romantic and iconic “La Vie en Rose”, the song that became Edith Piaf’s signature. They trace its creation in post-war Paris, from Piaf’s own lyrics to Louiguy’s melody and Marianne Michel’s crucial lyric tweak that transformed “Les Choses en Rose” into “La Vie en Rose”. The discussion delves into Piaf’s extraordinary and often tragic life - from her childhood in a Normandy brothel, to her discovery in the streets of Paris, to her wartime years performing under Occupation and...
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The U.S.A. by Day and the R.A.F. by Night - Satire in the Shadow of Hamburg
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine uncover the wild and witty “The USA by Day and the RAF by Night” - a 1944 novelty song that pokes fun at the Nazis while celebrating the Allied air campaign. Written by American comedy writer Hal Block and journalist-turned-lyricist Bob Musel, the song turns bombing raids into satire, complete with cheeky impressions of Hitler, Himmler and Goering. Lili and Tom trace its history from the Eighth Air Force shows in London to its only known recording by Al Trace and his Musicians. Along the way, they dive...
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There’ll Always Be an England – Patriotism, Pride and Peril
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine explore the powerful patriotic anthem “There’ll Always Be an England”. Written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles in the summer of 1939, the song captured the hopes of a nation on the brink of war and quickly became a staple of the home front, recorded by everyone from Billy Cotton to Gracie Fields. Lili and Tom trace its journey from the film Discoveries to stirring moments of defiance on land and sea - including the crew of HMS Barham, who sang it as their ship went down in 1941. Along the way, they...
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The Spitfire Song - The 'Whip-Round' That Won the War?
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine take to the skies with The Spitfire Song - a rare 1940s number penned by the remarkable Horace Maybray-King. They explore King’s fascinating life, from English teacher and wartime concert-party organiser to tireless fundraiser for the famous Spitfire Funds - public appeals that saw communities “buy” parts of the iconic fighter aircraft to help Britain prepare for the Battle of Britain. Along the way, they uncover the story behind the song’s only known recording by Joe Loss and His Orchestra with...
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Run, Rabbit, Run - Propaganda, Parody and Punchlines
The A to Z of Wartime Song
In this episode of The A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine hop into the world of one of WWII’s catchiest tunes: “Run, Rabbit, Run!”. Made famous by comedy duo Flanagan and Allen, the song took on a life of its own - boosting morale, teasing the Luftwaffe and even becoming a favourite of Winston Churchill. They explore the song’s theatrical roots in Noel Gay’s The Little Dog Laughed, its transformation into a patriotic earworm and its cheeky parody lyrics aimed at Hitler and co. Along the way, they dive into the extraordinary lives of Bud Flanagan and Chesney...
info_outlineIn this episode of the A to Z of Wartime Song, hosts Lili Redman and Tom Carradine discuss Ivor Novello’s 1914 hit “Keep the Home Fires Burning”. They explore Novello’s life and WW1 service, his collaboration with lyricist Lena Guilbert Ford and her tragic death in a Zepplin raid on London in 1918. Alongside this their conversation covers the sad tale of WW1 poet and composer Ivor Gurney and Novello’s connection to another WW1 poet, Seigfied Sassoon.
To listen to all the songs mentioned in the episode please visit their Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1FQDrBphYqYLAuN6Jm01PN
REFERENCES
Mr Fogg’s Tavern Sing-a-long
https://www.mr-foggs.com/event/tavern-cockney-sing-a-long/
Ivor Novello - Blue Plaque
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/ivor-novello/
Ivor Novello - Biography / Locations
https://britainunlimited.com/ivor-novello/
Ivor Gurney - Biography
https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/ivor-gurney-composer-poet-soldier/
Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (home to Sassoon and Gatty)
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088
Pics of Ivor’s West End Flat
https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/heritage-architect-creates-west-end-home-for-cameron-mackintosh/5097491.article
Till the Boys Come Home - Roger Foss
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Till-Boys-Come-Home-British/dp/0750960663
Heytesbury House in Wiltshire (Sassoon’s Home)
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1198088
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:50 Opening Chat
01:50 K = Keep the Home Fires Burning
02:57 The Life of Ivor Novello
10:07 The Tragic Story of Ivor Gurney
14:09 Novello in London
17:06 Lena Guilbert Ford's Contribution
19:20 The Premiere of 'Keep the Homefires Burning'
20:43 The Song's Impact and Reception
21:32 Siegfried Sassoon and Ivor Novello's Connection
22:06 Siegried Sassoon
25:49 Ivor Novello's Post-War Success
26:57 Novello's Military Service in WW1
29:48 Discussing the Sheet Music
31:31 Discussing the Lyrics
34:05 Discussing the Music
36:26 Discussing Recordings - Frederick Wheeler
37:37 Stanley Kirkby
40:19 John McCormack
42:11 Olive Gilbert
42:53 Our Favourite Recordings
44:20 If You Liked That You'll Like This ...
46:15 Mentioned in Dispatches
49:59 A Teaser for Next Week
50:24 Outro
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
You can follow the podcast on social media:
http://instagram.com/warsongspod
https://www.facebook.com/warsongspod
Find more information about Lili Redman here:
https://liliredman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lili__redman/
https://www.facebook.com/ScalaLil
Or Tom Carradine here:
https://www.tomcarradine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tomcarradine
https://www.facebook.com/mrtomcarradine
CONTACT THE PODCAST
If there's a wartime song that you think they should discuss, or if you have a personal or family story connected to one, drop them a line at warsongspod@gmail.com to be "Mentioned in Dispatches".
LISTENING LINKS
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ktQ4nyudmPRLcCNyNxEfv?si=ac9e1babe6834f2b
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-a-to-z-of-wartime-song/id1806037318
If you’ve enjoyed this episode Lili and Tom would be grateful if you’d leave a review and make sure you’ve subscribed and turned on notifications so you’ll never miss an episode.