Katherine Jenkins has confirmed that her We'll Meet Again duet with Dame Vera Lynn will be released following The Queen's speech to the nation over the weekend.
The Queen signed off her message to the country with the title words of the song, first released in 1939 by Dame Vera, who is now 103.
Her Majesty said on Sunday: "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."
Welsh singer Katherine appeared on Good Morning Britain to confirm the re-release of the track on Saturday, April 11 and that the proceeds from sales would go to the charity, NHS Charities Together which helps health workers with every day expenses and essential support.
With a bad signal hampering her interview, the classical crossover act from Neath said it was "such an honour" to be able to join with Dame Vera Lynn on the song.
Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis Jones, also appeared on the interview and said her mother thought the Queen quoting her famous song was "funny".
She added: "She actually thought it was quite funny she thinks the Queen is wonderful and I think she made a complete point of saying that. They are words that resonate now as they did then. The words are meaningful, very poignant and important."
The pair first performed their duet in 2005 at the 60th Anniversary of VE Day and Katherine often sings it at her live shows.
Katherine added in a statement: "As Dame Vera herself has said, while the lyrics of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ take us back to the time of WW2, the sentiment feels appropriate and meaningful today and relevant to the current crisis.
"It is a song of hope and Dame Vera and I sing this in honour of (and in aid of) our superhero NHS workers and their families. They are putting themselves at risk to ensure we will meet our dearest again.”
Since the weekend the classic has seen a rise of 209% in streams on Spotify and shot up hundreds of places in the iTunes chart.
Piers Morgan, who yesterday called for the song to be re-released, said: "Get it, listen to it and make it number one."
Donations to NHS Charities Together will be granted to 140 NHS charities in England, Scotland and Wales supporting frontline NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients in the following ways:
- Funding well-being packs/gifts for NHS staff and volunteers on wards/departments (this could include food deliveries, high energy/protein bars/drinks, snacks, refreshments, wash kits, overnight stay kits.)
- Cost of travel, parking, accommodation for NHS staff and volunteers
- Volunteer expenses
- Other items as requested by members that enhance the well-being of NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients
To download the song visit iTunes on Saturday.
