My brother, a private pilot and retired Major in the US Air Force, would often tell me he "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" after flying somewhere. He was killed in a crash Jan. 22, 2012 and I have placed a link to this video on my Facebook page as a tribute to his memory. Beautiful treatment by you, illustrating this favorite poem of mine (and his). And the music seems written for it, also. Great choice!
I found this video of yours on Tuesday, the day after my father died. He was RCAF 1942-45, and 'High Flight' was his anthem. He had the poem framed in his bedroom and computer room. As soon as I watched it, I knew it had to be part of his service. I hope you don't mind, but I added a bit at the beginning and his picture at the end, and It brought tears to everyone, because it personifies Dad so well. Your talents will forever be a part of our memories of the day.
as a young boy i read a book with this poem and loved it ever since,my dad a pilot and i wanted to be and did but not in the air force but privet i call feel what this young raf pilot felt sorry he didn't live to get the full glory of this poem. beautiful and touching a msgt usaf retired
Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. This beautiful and very appropriate poem was read at the memorial by Pres. Ronald Reagan. Hard to believe so much time has passed.
I had been dreaming of "flying" for 70 years, perhaps inspired by an uncle who had the flying bug but was killed flying an RCAF Spitfire in1944 (accident) when I was 6. I finally took up the art and science of flying 9 1/2 years ago, and while a far cry from a Spitfire, my Piper Tomahawk also allows me to also "slip the surly bonds", blessed by many of those graces described so well by the words photos and music of your video, and perhaps by my "Canada Day" video.
@wsogft Flying is so much better than planning to build one, eh? This is such a touching piece for so many reasons and on so many levels. When you're in SJF...you must fell much the same as that pilot.
@aflack Thanks for the compliment! About the poet - you could argue his life was cut short by war in a by-proxy or secondarily-caused sort of way, but the truth was (if I understand correctly) he died in a training accident; and military training accidents happen all the time, wartime or not.
@songoftheopenroad Very true; however the spirit of volunteerism is shown by the fact that he was an american flying for the canadian air force before the war began, that he also had a scholarship at yale yet chose the military instead!
We will be sharing this at our Mum's Celebration of life on Saturday. Kay Hirsch was a WWII pilot in the RAF and ATA. She went home to be with the Lord May 15, 2010. She loved the Spitfire. It was her favorite plane to fly. She was one of the "Spitfire Women" written about. WE love this video. Thank-you for posting. Just wondering if there is a way to get a high rez copy?
Thank you for this - I do have ideas - mostly they came from experiencing your video! I could run some further ideas past you though you are the one with the skill and artistry in this medium. Is there someway I could email the soundfile it to you? I could send a score also... let me know.
As an alternative I tried to send you a link to a download of the recording, but received an error message. I also tried to send my email address. Again that didn't go through.
This is a beautiful and sensitive illumination of this poem. I have composed a setting of this poem for choir and saxophone that was described by the brother of the poet as the most moving he has heard. This piece was recently taken on tour by an Indiana choir. I have not yet uploaded a recording of their fine performance but was wondering whether you consider making a similar illumination of that work. Please contact me if your are interested. Many thanks...
@vaiaata I would love to listen to the piece, and if it inspires me as the poem did, I would love to dedicating some time to putting it to pictures, and maybe we could discuss whether you'd want it to follow a specific theme, or whether you'd like me to pick the theme wholly on how the music inspires me to interpret it. I'm honored you'd ask.
Beachfrontal sent me... glad he did. This poem was read at my father's funeral. He flew the Hump in India during WWII and delivered supplies to Merrill's Marauders on the Burma Road. Very moving.
Maj. Gen. Robert M. White, WWII Fighter Pilot and POW, Edwards AFB Test Pilot First Man to Fly an aircraft at Mach 4, 5, 6 and into Outer Space and Combat Pilot in Nam... +
Just found your video and had to comment on your beautiful interpretation of this beloved poem - thank you so much. My dad was a WWII P-47 pilot, and would have watched this every day. Your generosity in sharing this with wfmills was especially touching, as were your kind words. Thank you - I'll send your link to all my pilot friends.
I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to aviation. I am still in high school right now, and plan to join the USAF and become a pilot. After that, I am going to become either a test pilot, or come back to my home town and be a flight instructor.
This is just so beautiful! The poem has touch so many hearts. It lifts mine each time I hear it going through my head as I look to the sky in memory.
We are slowly losing all our veterans :( They gave us their lives, please given them a moment of silence on November 11 at 11am to thank them for their sacrifice.
Perfect in every way . I was a maintainer. so others could fly and protect our worlds. God bless all the brave who hover over all of us to keep us safe.
You're welcome. It's wonderful for me to be hearing from so many pilots after posting this video. I believe your user name is referring to 'Grosvenor House', the de Havilland DH.88 Comet which won the MacRobertson Race? One of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed, in my opinion. Simply stunning.
Sir, perfect video and classic pictures! You may know that John Gillespie Magee, Jr was 19 when he penned this ode to flight, and was killed shortly after. I was 19 when I was sent to Viet Nam to fly helos, and I carried this poem with me so that I would always remember why I flew.
Thank you, sir, for your comment. Yes, it's amazing that such a beautiful work of poetry was written by a soldier so young in years. Incidentally, incribed on his gravestone are the first and last lines of his poem: "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth... Put out my hand, and touched the Face of God."
I'm glad to know this poem has such deep meaning to you and that you've enjoyed my video interpretation of it. God Bless.
The music is Return/Reunion by Basil Poledouris, and is actually from his soundtrack for Lassie (1994), track 10, I believe. Poledouris was a wonderful composer, and is most famous for his soundtracks for Lonesome Dove and The Red October.
I found another truly beautiful and poetic video that fighter pilots have posted.Go to Jack savoretti (Youtube) i think it's 2nd video called Dreamers (they used his song)Magnificent...
Thank you so much for letting me know about this video - the most beautiful collection of aerial flight footage I've ever seen. Breathlessly heartstoppingly gorgeous...
Well done! My father graduated Annapolis, tested jets for the Navy...
He is 71 now and always told me that this poem and its meaning respresents much of who his is...
Years ago, as I headed to teach another class, 2 F-4's in formation roared overhead...my heart sank- I long to know what it is like to slip the surley bonds...
Thank you everyone for such kind comments! Glad you enjoyed the video - I've wanted to do one for a long time as this is one of my favorite poems since I can remember.
Amazing it was written by a nineteen year old. It captures flying like nothing else I've ever read.
For those who've flown a plane, like I have, I think his words express what we feel when we are in the air, but are unable to articulate to the ground-bound car drivers among us who ask about our passion for flying.
When we fly, we are finally free, liberated from our gravity-bound unwinged self, unchained from gravity and dimension. It is, I think, the closest we can come on this earth to Heaven.
Thank you so much for your kind words and response. you are are right, the words just can't come but this is perfect. I can't figure out how to copy it, can you email it to me?
It was wonderful, my father died Friday..would love to have permision to play it for his funeral. He was involved in the Air Force for 32 years and this would be a great ending for his mortal life and a great beginning for his new journey! God Bless!!
You definitely have permission to use my High Flight video at his funeral. I am honored you asked. I am so sorry your father died, the English language is insufficent to find the right words for this devastating loss. The greatest griefs are the ones for which there are no words. But may you have joy in knowing that while before your Air Force father always had to come back to the ground, he has now slipped the surly bonds of Earth to reach out and touch the face of God.
All my thanks, I have been able to reformat your wonderful video. This video will honor my Father for his life and his service for his country from 1941 to 1974 with the Army Air Corp and Air Force. I will bring one copy for his Celebration of Life on Thursday, and also for the funeral on Friday. The second copy will be interned with my father William on Sept. 4th 2008 when he rejoins his beloved wife Joan at Arlington National Cemetery. God Bless...Bill
Wow. That was amazing. The pictures, the music, and the poem. I've heard that poem before, and heard it sung by the Air Force Academy's Cadet Chorale, but it doesn't get old. This is a beautiful video.
41K was in the open blue, and as I watched my altimeter with watchful eyes, I wondered when I would reach out my hand and touch the face of God? Then in a instance it dawned on me, he had been there all along, for I had soloed all alone...
Beautiful presentation, Songoftheopenroad! Gorgeous images and the wonderful words of John Gillespie Magee, Jr. I'm not into aviation but Gillespie's poem seemed to capture the beauty/thrill of soaring thru the skies and revelling in the beauty about him. Thank you for posting.
My brother, a private pilot and retired Major in the US Air Force, would often tell me he "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" after flying somewhere. He was killed in a crash Jan. 22, 2012 and I have placed a link to this video on my Facebook page as a tribute to his memory. Beautiful treatment by you, illustrating this favorite poem of mine (and his). And the music seems written for it, also. Great choice!
somsvideoman 2 weeks ago
Beautiful. Narration by the right voice would make this even more special. Great work.
Wawnie 3 weeks ago
"when you see mighty jet aircraft soar across the sky its the grease stained man with a wrench who put it there!" - the forgotten mechanic
crewdawg2323 3 weeks ago
i had to memorize this poem for home work.....BEST HOMEWORK EVER! i really enjoy this poem
mwertyuio1 2 months ago
what is the background music for this wonderful poem?
dasteufelhund 2 months ago
I love this wordless version! seems to capture the essence and lets us use our imagination... LOVELY!!!
wrnmichele 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I found this video of yours on Tuesday, the day after my father died. He was RCAF 1942-45, and 'High Flight' was his anthem. He had the poem framed in his bedroom and computer room. As soon as I watched it, I knew it had to be part of his service. I hope you don't mind, but I added a bit at the beginning and his picture at the end, and It brought tears to everyone, because it personifies Dad so well. Your talents will forever be a part of our memories of the day.
hondac200 8 months ago
Earth bound misfit,warrier,I...4K hrs.Mission tasked.Beautiful.My Grey lady 660139
davethesack 9 months ago
as a young boy i read a book with this poem and loved it ever since,my dad a pilot and i wanted to be and did but not in the air force but privet i call feel what this young raf pilot felt sorry he didn't live to get the full glory of this poem. beautiful and touching a msgt usaf retired
MrAirjim 10 months ago
Beautiful,.. my feelings exactly
MrRog1953 1 year ago
Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. This beautiful and very appropriate poem was read at the memorial by Pres. Ronald Reagan. Hard to believe so much time has passed.
jimmyb227 1 year ago
If you have earned your wings with a pilot licence, this brings it home
MrRog1953 1 year ago
i think this is a very delightful poem!!!!
barniess 1 year ago
I had been dreaming of "flying" for 70 years, perhaps inspired by an uncle who had the flying bug but was killed flying an RCAF Spitfire in1944 (accident) when I was 6. I finally took up the art and science of flying 9 1/2 years ago, and while a far cry from a Spitfire, my Piper Tomahawk also allows me to also "slip the surly bonds", blessed by many of those graces described so well by the words photos and music of your video, and perhaps by my "Canada Day" video.
wsogft 1 year ago 2
@wsogft Flying is so much better than planning to build one, eh? This is such a touching piece for so many reasons and on so many levels. When you're in SJF...you must fell much the same as that pilot.
Mooma41 1 year ago
I have this poem with spitfire in the picture similar to 1:00 recently had it properly framed and mounted
mesquiteguy1221 1 year ago
SHALOM VERY VERY VERY NIC VIDEOS TOV TODA
mrmakemakkara 1 year ago
Near Perfect video the only thing lacking is a tribute to a great poets tragic life cut short by war!
aflack 1 year ago
@aflack Thanks for the compliment! About the poet - you could argue his life was cut short by war in a by-proxy or secondarily-caused sort of way, but the truth was (if I understand correctly) he died in a training accident; and military training accidents happen all the time, wartime or not.
songoftheopenroad 1 year ago 2
@songoftheopenroad Very true; however the spirit of volunteerism is shown by the fact that he was an american flying for the canadian air force before the war began, that he also had a scholarship at yale yet chose the military instead!
aflack 1 year ago
@aflack err correction before america joined the war!
aflack 1 year ago
Comment removed
hondac200 8 months ago
This is, without a doubt in my heart, the best way to describe flight!
MrHyper1972 1 year ago 2
We will be sharing this at our Mum's Celebration of life on Saturday. Kay Hirsch was a WWII pilot in the RAF and ATA. She went home to be with the Lord May 15, 2010. She loved the Spitfire. It was her favorite plane to fly. She was one of the "Spitfire Women" written about. WE love this video. Thank-you for posting. Just wondering if there is a way to get a high rez copy?
anniecat50 1 year ago
5 ☆☆☆☆☆
U.S. Memorial Day
GOD BLESS AMERICA ON THIS HOLIDAY WEEK END Monday 31 2010
and GOD BLESS THE WORLD
m/ 56 SLC/UTAH
johnjddavid 1 year ago
Thank you for this - I do have ideas - mostly they came from experiencing your video! I could run some further ideas past you though you are the one with the skill and artistry in this medium. Is there someway I could email the soundfile it to you? I could send a score also... let me know.
vaiaata 1 year ago
As an alternative I tried to send you a link to a download of the recording, but received an error message. I also tried to send my email address. Again that didn't go through.
vaiaata 1 year ago
@vaiaata Just message me your email address, that should work.
songoftheopenroad 1 year ago
OK - that makes sense! vaiaata'at'earthlink'dot'net
vaiaata 1 year ago
This is a beautiful and sensitive illumination of this poem. I have composed a setting of this poem for choir and saxophone that was described by the brother of the poet as the most moving he has heard. This piece was recently taken on tour by an Indiana choir. I have not yet uploaded a recording of their fine performance but was wondering whether you consider making a similar illumination of that work. Please contact me if your are interested. Many thanks...
vaiaata 1 year ago 2
@vaiaata I would love to listen to the piece, and if it inspires me as the poem did, I would love to dedicating some time to putting it to pictures, and maybe we could discuss whether you'd want it to follow a specific theme, or whether you'd like me to pick the theme wholly on how the music inspires me to interpret it. I'm honored you'd ask.
songoftheopenroad 1 year ago 2
Beachfrontal sent me... glad he did. This poem was read at my father's funeral. He flew the Hump in India during WWII and delivered supplies to Merrill's Marauders on the Burma Road. Very moving.
archtopbrownie 1 year ago
"Boy, That Was a Ride."
Maj. Gen. Robert M. White, WWII Fighter Pilot and POW, Edwards AFB Test Pilot First Man to Fly an aircraft at Mach 4, 5, 6 and into Outer Space and Combat Pilot in Nam... +
July 6, 1924 March 17, 2010
Thanks for having the Right Stuff.
ubuibiok 1 year ago
Just found your video and had to comment on your beautiful interpretation of this beloved poem - thank you so much. My dad was a WWII P-47 pilot, and would have watched this every day. Your generosity in sharing this with wfmills was especially touching, as were your kind words. Thank you - I'll send your link to all my pilot friends.
andythunderbolt 2 years ago 2
I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to aviation. I am still in high school right now, and plan to join the USAF and become a pilot. After that, I am going to become either a test pilot, or come back to my home town and be a flight instructor.
Ninox37 2 years ago 2
This is just so beautiful! The poem has touch so many hearts. It lifts mine each time I hear it going through my head as I look to the sky in memory.
Thank you,
traylorvh 2 years ago
We are slowly losing all our veterans :( They gave us their lives, please given them a moment of silence on November 11 at 11am to thank them for their sacrifice.
JonnysKia 2 years ago 2
The words leave me breathless with their imagery and sheer beauty. What might he have produced for us had he lived, I wonder?
tallandhandsome29 2 years ago 2
I love this clip so much and now im using it in a english assignment
bvonny 2 years ago
i love it , it is amazing my religon teacher showed us this clip and i was truly amazed
bvonny 2 years ago
beautiful.... just watch it and dream
MaxTontarra 2 years ago 6
really nice vid.
best regards,
Julian;-)
juliaaaannn 2 years ago
This is absolutely wonderful.... Thank You
TheAufidius 2 years ago
Excellent Poem, great clip!!!
notatall0815 2 years ago 2
Yes,you right
cosi66 2 years ago
Exellent!
94Taurus 2 years ago 2
...I am by no means a fan of poetry, but that music is just amazing. Gives me goosebumps every time!
Wildchild037 2 years ago
Beautiful! Thank you for the video. It made me think of my late father who devoted over forty years of his life in aviation.
fanmom 2 years ago
Magnifique ! Merci !!!
JeanLucRPS 2 years ago
The piece is called Return/Reunion and it was written by Basil Poledouris. It is from (believe it or not) the soundtrack to the 1994 Lassie.
Basil Poledouris is famous for his soundtracks to many other movies such as Lonesome Dove, Free Willy, and The Hunt For Red October.
songoftheopenroad 2 years ago
Great! Thanks!
MusicWitt 2 years ago
You're welcome.
songoftheopenroad 2 years ago
what is the name of this musical piece and who wrote it? thanks.
MusicWitt 2 years ago
Perfect in every way . I was a maintainer. so others could fly and protect our worlds. God bless all the brave who hover over all of us to keep us safe.
surfinjohnnyq 3 years ago
Superb. Miss it daily. 33 years of wonderful life and profession. Thanks to originator of this wonderful video.
winggrosvenor 3 years ago
You're welcome. It's wonderful for me to be hearing from so many pilots after posting this video. I believe your user name is referring to 'Grosvenor House', the de Havilland DH.88 Comet which won the MacRobertson Race? One of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed, in my opinion. Simply stunning.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
Nice, I'v been there.
medoug69 3 years ago
Aren't these words used in President Reagan's eulogy for the Challenger Astronauts? Great music selection...beautiful pictures.
johnsmileyjr 3 years ago
I believe they were - I'll have to look it up to be sure. Thanks for your comment.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
yes they were :)
SarahandKendall 3 years ago
Sir, perfect video and classic pictures! You may know that John Gillespie Magee, Jr was 19 when he penned this ode to flight, and was killed shortly after. I was 19 when I was sent to Viet Nam to fly helos, and I carried this poem with me so that I would always remember why I flew.
God Bless.
Helismoke 3 years ago 12
Thank you, sir, for your comment. Yes, it's amazing that such a beautiful work of poetry was written by a soldier so young in years. Incidentally, incribed on his gravestone are the first and last lines of his poem: "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth... Put out my hand, and touched the Face of God."
I'm glad to know this poem has such deep meaning to you and that you've enjoyed my video interpretation of it. God Bless.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
Lovely video...made me crave, as I always do, those rare and precious moments in the sky.
This has to be my favorite poem and the music you chose is wonderfully suited to it. What is that piece of music, if I might ask.
vertigayle 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment.
The music is Return/Reunion by Basil Poledouris, and is actually from his soundtrack for Lassie (1994), track 10, I believe. Poledouris was a wonderful composer, and is most famous for his soundtracks for Lonesome Dove and The Red October.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
I found another truly beautiful and poetic video that fighter pilots have posted.Go to Jack savoretti (Youtube) i think it's 2nd video called Dreamers (they used his song)Magnificent...
barrettramon 3 years ago
Thank you so much for letting me know about this video - the most beautiful collection of aerial flight footage I've ever seen. Breathlessly heartstoppingly gorgeous...
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
Well done! My father graduated Annapolis, tested jets for the Navy...
He is 71 now and always told me that this poem and its meaning respresents much of who his is...
Years ago, as I headed to teach another class, 2 F-4's in formation roared overhead...my heart sank- I long to know what it is like to slip the surley bonds...
sheracad 3 years ago
Thank you everyone for such kind comments! Glad you enjoyed the video - I've wanted to do one for a long time as this is one of my favorite poems since I can remember.
Amazing it was written by a nineteen year old. It captures flying like nothing else I've ever read.
For those who've flown a plane, like I have, I think his words express what we feel when we are in the air, but are unable to articulate to the ground-bound car drivers among us who ask about our passion for flying.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
When we fly, we are finally free, liberated from our gravity-bound unwinged self, unchained from gravity and dimension. It is, I think, the closest we can come on this earth to Heaven.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and response. you are are right, the words just can't come but this is perfect. I can't figure out how to copy it, can you email it to me?
wfmillsaccount 3 years ago
It was wonderful, my father died Friday..would love to have permision to play it for his funeral. He was involved in the Air Force for 32 years and this would be a great ending for his mortal life and a great beginning for his new journey! God Bless!!
wfmillsaccount 3 years ago
wfmillsaccount:
You definitely have permission to use my High Flight video at his funeral. I am honored you asked. I am so sorry your father died, the English language is insufficent to find the right words for this devastating loss. The greatest griefs are the ones for which there are no words. But may you have joy in knowing that while before your Air Force father always had to come back to the ground, he has now slipped the surly bonds of Earth to reach out and touch the face of God.
songoftheopenroad 3 years ago
All my thanks, I have been able to reformat your wonderful video. This video will honor my Father for his life and his service for his country from 1941 to 1974 with the Army Air Corp and Air Force. I will bring one copy for his Celebration of Life on Thursday, and also for the funeral on Friday. The second copy will be interned with my father William on Sept. 4th 2008 when he rejoins his beloved wife Joan at Arlington National Cemetery. God Bless...Bill
wfmillsaccount 3 years ago
Wow. That was amazing. The pictures, the music, and the poem. I've heard that poem before, and heard it sung by the Air Force Academy's Cadet Chorale, but it doesn't get old. This is a beautiful video.
mossimo64 3 years ago
lovely
pOsTaLxL 3 years ago
wow awesome! gave me goosebumps!
yawotevah 3 years ago
This is an absolutely magnificent video, fitting to accompany such a majestic writing.
bulbheadmyass 3 years ago
41K was in the open blue, and as I watched my altimeter with watchful eyes, I wondered when I would reach out my hand and touch the face of God? Then in a instance it dawned on me, he had been there all along, for I had soloed all alone...
Cherokee5of6 3 years ago
Beautiful presentation, Songoftheopenroad! Gorgeous images and the wonderful words of John Gillespie Magee, Jr. I'm not into aviation but Gillespie's poem seemed to capture the beauty/thrill of soaring thru the skies and revelling in the beauty about him. Thank you for posting.
erzbet07 3 years ago
Beautiful
Everything. Poem, Pictures, Music
Its awesome!
spiritofthemustang 4 years ago