Walter Kent (November 29, 1911 - March 2, 1994) was a Jewish American composer who wrote the music for songs including the Christmas standard "I'll Be Home for Christmas", and the wartime hit "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover", co-written with fellow American Nat Burton. He died at the age of 82 "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" is a popular World War II song made famous by Vera Lynn with her 1942 recording--one of her best known recordings. Written in 1941 by Walter Kent and Nat Burton, the song was also among the most popular Second World War tunes. It was written to uplift the spirits of the Allies at a time when Nazi Germany had conquered much of Europe's area and was bombing England.
The song's lyrics looked toward a time when the war would be over and peace would rule over the iconic white cliffs of Dover, Britain's de facto border with the European mainland. At the time British and German aircraft were fighting over the cliffs of Dover.
"The White Cliffs of Dover" is one of many popular songs that use a "Bluebird of Happiness" as a symbol of cheer. Ironically, though, there are no bluebirds in.