Interesting, I did the same as Captainvideo54 when I was a young boy. It took several "sign-off's" to copy all the words but this was the first poem I ever learned. After that all I ever wanted to do was fly. My wildest dreams came true and I finished my career as a B-747 Captain after 35 years with United Airlines. I was on the speakers panel for a while and would finish my presentation with that poem.
I remember as a young boy staying up on rare occassions and watching the short inspirational films TV stations played as part of their dutiful sign off . The National Anthem was the most popular. Yet "High Flight" was my favorite. I so wanted to fly, I was 6 when Glenn made his flight. Space was new and exciting. Rarely do words and images combine to create such a feeling of awe as those did in that young boy. Your updated version has stirred those feelings. Thank you.
Four flyable P-47s! That's a rarity! I believe the nearest one (the Indian Chief head on the cowl) is from Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prarie, MN. After the war, the Russians demanded that most P-47s be destroyed because of their terrible firepower - eight 50 cal. Brownings. There was scarcely a square foot of Germany that didn't have a bullet hole.
I think of the pilots during WWII. Those guys had some serious stones to be able to do what they did, especially early on in the war when the bombers had to fly over Germany unescorted because fighter planes didn't have the range to fly as far as they did later in the war. To see the searchlights crisscrssing the sky and seeing the flak, and the Luftwaffe coming...
Even though he was not a pilot, we read this at my father's funeral. To me it is also descriptive of how our soul leaves our body and is transported, if you will, to the Creator. What could be more joyous?
Awesome poem by the late John Gillespie Magee Jr. May he rest in peace.
Gvieto 6 days ago
Check out the Youtube Video of Nelson Eddy singing this poem set to music. Just put on Jan 28, 2011. Thank you, Basilnelson
pearlminnie 1 year ago
Interesting, I did the same as Captainvideo54 when I was a young boy. It took several "sign-off's" to copy all the words but this was the first poem I ever learned. After that all I ever wanted to do was fly. My wildest dreams came true and I finished my career as a B-747 Captain after 35 years with United Airlines. I was on the speakers panel for a while and would finish my presentation with that poem.
ualpilot747 1 year ago
I remember as a young boy staying up on rare occassions and watching the short inspirational films TV stations played as part of their dutiful sign off . The National Anthem was the most popular. Yet "High Flight" was my favorite. I so wanted to fly, I was 6 when Glenn made his flight. Space was new and exciting. Rarely do words and images combine to create such a feeling of awe as those did in that young boy. Your updated version has stirred those feelings. Thank you.
Captainvideo54 1 year ago
May she come down to earth, one day!
Miss you mom, my gal from Kalamazoo!
Clemmens5of6 2 years ago
This poem has always 'gotten' me ever since I heard it as a kid when the TV signed off.
TSIband 2 years ago
Four flyable P-47s! That's a rarity! I believe the nearest one (the Indian Chief head on the cowl) is from Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prarie, MN. After the war, the Russians demanded that most P-47s be destroyed because of their terrible firepower - eight 50 cal. Brownings. There was scarcely a square foot of Germany that didn't have a bullet hole.
bobcrunch 2 years ago
I think of the pilots during WWII. Those guys had some serious stones to be able to do what they did, especially early on in the war when the bombers had to fly over Germany unescorted because fighter planes didn't have the range to fly as far as they did later in the war. To see the searchlights crisscrssing the sky and seeing the flak, and the Luftwaffe coming...
ronman6 2 years ago
Even though he was not a pilot, we read this at my father's funeral. To me it is also descriptive of how our soul leaves our body and is transported, if you will, to the Creator. What could be more joyous?
dollbabe2 2 years ago 2
You should see what it looks like at 35,000 feet.Absolutly beautiful up there!
irishoforiel 2 years ago