It was originally recorded by Muriel Barron & Olive Gilbert (1945) and by Geraldo and his Orchestra, who reached the UK charts with it in 1946.

[3] It has since been performed by many artists, including notably Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth, Richard Tauber, Bing Crosby (recorded December 18, 1945),[4] Frank Sinatra (for his album Sinatra Sings Great Songs from Great Britain (1962)), Marion Grimaldi and Julie Andrews.

[5][6] Written as World War II drew to its close, the song describes the yearning of parted couples to be reunited.

It evokes the joy they would feel when together once again, and the pleasures of the English countryside in spring with its lilac blossom.

We'll gather lilacs in the spring again And walk together down an English lane Until our hearts have learnt to sing again When you come home once more.