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STOVEPIPE
SERENADE
A COLLECTION OF FIGHTER SONGS
1954 EDITION
IHDBX
Introduction • ».••.•»....••« I
Word of Warning ........ c ... . II
Dedication «•••*...»»»•.•». Ill
Toast to a Pilot .•.,.»,..•.»* IT
Beside a Guinea Waterfall ««•«•».. 1
Boozin1 Buddies .,«..•»•.... • 1
Tiptanks and Tailpipes........„ * 2
Let's Have a Party ...•».....•. 2
Itazuke OHT . 0......... . • . • 3
Too Long at Itazuke ...,.<<...• 3
Meet Me in Kyoto . , ....<> ...•'• . 3
Pilot's Lament ...... * ...... • ^
Moonshine *.*.....<,...••,• ^
Safe Hand Ya.il . • . . ....... . . . 5
Air Force 801 ♦ . . ........... 6
Strafin' Hound the Mountain......• 7
I Wanted Wings.............. 8
Save a Fighter Pilot1 s Life I . . . „ . . 9
Save a Fighter Pilot's Life II . <, . ♦ . . 10
Save a Fighter Pilot's Life III..... 11
On Top of Old Fuji........ . . . . 12
Red Nose MiGs . . ♦ ♦.......... 12
MiG 15 .. o .............. . 12
You Can Tell a Fighter Pilot . ...... 13
Off We Go . . . «............ 13
We Are The Boys........♦ * . * . 13
TAG Headquarters 0............ 13
Ain't it a Bloody Shame 9 e . . • . . • • 14
V/hen Your Leaves Have Turned To Silver ♦ .. 14
Flak Showers ....*.......... 14
Here's To The Regular Air Force ..... 15
The River Ran Red............ 15
Napalm (It Was Sad) ......... o • 16
Stand To Your Glasses Steady ...*.♦. 17
Come and Join the Air Force . ...... 18
"G" Suits and Parachutes ......... 19
Rail Cutters o ............ . 20
Marly Abort <•*•».»»........ 20
Parties, Banquets* and Balls ....... 20
Wreck of the Old » 97 .......... . 21
Just Give Me Operations ......... 22
Toast to the Blue Angels *.......♦ 23
Fighter Pilots.......»....* 2k
Reservists Lament *,«•#«•*••» 25
Kuni-Ri and Antung ■••» ..#.**!, f » 26
On Top of Old Pyong-Yaag * . * f . . • . 27
Man JBehind the Armor-Plated Desk t # , , 28
Tachikawa,, Yokahama, Itazuke .*«♦♦. 29
Once They Were Happy ♦.•♦,...,♦ 29
Song of the 18th •*♦♦.»...... 30
The Air tforce Has Gone To Hell . . # . ♦ 31
If You Sly.*. ..*•.>...*.,♦. 32
Clear The Pattern ...•,*•«.*. 32
Ten Thousand Dollars ,♦♦♦„♦.. „ , 33
Iourd Better Get Yourself a Guy . . „ . 33
Air Force Song.....• • ♦ . 3 . ♦ * 34
Air Porce Hymn . ♦ ......... • V 35
ILTIiODUCTIOH
The following songs were collected over a three-year
period* They arc but a small saaplo of the many songs
sung at iiir Force JBases throughout the world or wherever
fighter pilots chance to meet and drink together. This
book is composed of songs strictly about fighters, there-
fore many old favorites such as "*4imue the Mermaid11
l,UlBellleyf a Bar" etc. have been oromitted due to lack of
space* I'&ny of the songs have several versions, since
each unit has its own personalities and situations and
consequently alters the words to fit them.
In many cases it was impossible to discover the
original source of a song; therefore, the author of each
song is listed where known, and the person or collection
from whom it was obtained* It is hoped that no offense
will be taken by uncredited autaors, as every effort has
been made to give proper credit* A partial list of
sources follows. To those who have generously given of
their time and patiently written out their songs, thank
you.
Logan Bent ley
Donaldson AEB
Hovember 195^
Capt. Al Hamby
Capt. Dick Hellwege
Capt. Brlice Jones
Capt. Harry Mulholland
Capt. Tom Perfili
Capt. George Thomas
Capt. Pete Van. Brussel
Lt. "Red" Pryor
Lt. Bob Daley
&t* Jisa Daleo
Lt. John Eobertson
"Songs of the 8th Fighters"
"Kepulsive Rhapsodies"
"Soi.ga lly Mother Never Taught Me"
"Songs of the ^9th Fighter-Bomber Group"
"Songs of the 325th"
AIH TOHGa TII43S
: I ^ is a !tword of warning11 - a warning to those readers
whose tender sensibilities may? or more accurately will, be
of£en&3& by the language of these ballads- But it is no apo^
logy to them* For these*Sure songs that are sung by flying
officers and men throughout the English speaking world* They
reflect the manners of men at war, the morals of pilots who
drink to forget for an evening the combat mission they must
fl;- at„ dawn* I&ny of these lyrics were adopted to the Korean
"situation*1 after becoming popular among the same warriors
during World War II, ar*d at least one or two were sung around
the -caEpfiree of the eve of Gettysburg*
It foI?owf;? therefore that they are not the product of
a -a./*'-j.<xcZa:: degenerate generation,. They are instead^ as they
alw?y.. have be-j:i3 an integral part of military life in the
fi:i.sdt, no nor5 and no less so than a cold tent, bathing in a
h3j.ni.;tf dehydrated potatoes and dysentery*
Tc j mu.ri; accept or ignore them as we accept or ignore the
?o:..3.iiic...:.s \;]hab inspired their authors to write them and us to
ftrcn ,?longs My Mother Never Taught 3fe,M 18th Fighter-Bomber
THIS COLLECTION IS BSDIC&Tifl)
TO ALL JIGHUHB PILOTS
LIVING AND DSAD
KMMKMP
TOAST TO A PILOT
We loop in the purple twilight
We spin in the silvery dawn
With black smoke trailing behind us
To show where our comrades have gone.
So stand to your glasses steady
This world is a world full of lies
We111 drink to those of us living
And hurrah for the next nan to die I
(f,rtepulsive I^pscdies," published by
56th Fighter-Bomber Mng)
"BJSSI23 A GUIHBA WATERFALL"
Beside a Guinea (Korean) waterfall, one bright and sunny day
Beside his shattered 3<U**~ a young pursuiter lay
His parachute hung from a nearby tree, he was not yet quite dead
So listen to the very last words the young pursuiter said:
ttWefre going to a better land where everything is bright
Where whiskey flows from telegraph poles
And poker every nightI
We haven1t got a thing to do but sit around and sing
And all our crews are women, Ghi Death, where is thy stingl"
Oh* death where is thy sting, ting-a-ling
Oh, death where is thy sting
The bells of hell will ring, rfing-a«*ling
For 1!DU but not for mei
Oh, ring-a-ling-a-ling ling, pin a rose on you
Bing-a-ling-a-ling ling, pin a rose on you
Ring-a-ling-a-ling ling, pin a rose on you
Better days are coming bye and byel
"BOOZd* BUDDIJSS"
A fighter pilot lay dying
The medics had left him for dead
All around him women were crying
And these are the words that he said:
n!Eake the tailpipe out of ay stomach
Cake the burner out of ay brain
Taks the turbine out of my kidney
And assemble the unit again
lor we are the boys who fly high in the sky
Bcs-Jin buddies while boozin1
¥f are tha boys they send out to die
Busoin buddies while boozin1
Down in the hangars they sing and they shout
TJ&X.dns of! things they Know nothing about!
We are tlxa boys who fly high in the sky
lie.son btvidJes while boozi.n1
Blftoj: buJ/Ues while boozin1
Scsoi; Yj-odiei vhil<5 Mo?in1 n
1
"TIPTiBZS ABD TAILPIPES"
Bles3 them all, bles# them all*
Bless tip tanks and tailpipes and all
Bless old roan LockheaL for building this jet
But I know a guy who is cussing hira yet
Cause he tried to go over the wall
With tiptanks and tailpipes and all
The needles did cross3 and 4;he wings did come ot
With tip tanks and tailpipes and alii
Through the wall, through she wall
Through vhe "bloody invisible wall
Tha-'i transonic journey is nothing but rough
As bad &s a ride on the local base bus
So I*ra staying away f^om it all
Subsonic for roe and Vhat'fc all
If you1 re hot you might mke it
But you'll prob'ly break it
Your butt or your neck, not the wallI
(Wmm "Songs of the 8th Fighter Wing")
Let's have a party, let's have some fun
Let's have a party, the _____________Fighter Group
is here to night
Br&ak right, break left, streamers off the wing
Snap dragons, sweet rolls, we do everything
We are the joy boys from Itazuke
Hello, hello, hello, hello-o-o-ol
2
"ITAZUE3 OUT"
/
(Tune: When you wore a tulip)
When you flew a Mastang, and I flew a Mustang
In the Itazuke OET
Other pilot8 went to briefing
We stayed in the sack a?sleeping
Hotter stones you111 never see
We wore hotter than tabasco when Group pulled each fiasco
We excelled in proficiency
When you flew a Mustang, and I flew a Mustang
In the Itazuke OBTi
»ID0 LOHG AT ITAZUKS"
Too long at Itazuke
Look just like a little gook
jfyes that slant, nose tbatfs flat
Speak Japanese, ttTou caught a muskrat*
Me work in rice paddy
Go Geisha house and drink saki
Me jo-to Number One Japanese boy*sani
»JMEf MB IH nOK)«
(Tone: Meet Ms In St* Louis)
Meet zae in Kyoto Mo to
Meet me at the shrine
Take your shoes off when you enter
Or you111 pay a fine*
We will have soma Sufceyaki
Then we'll have a cup of Saki
If You'll meet me in Kyoto Moto
Meet me at the shrine I
(All songs above from rtSongs of the
8th lighter Wing«)
3
"PHOT'S LAMgMT11
(Tune: If I Had The Wings Of An Angel)
Now listen all you pilots and you airmen
We will tell you a story sad but true
Of many who wear wings but are not happy
Gather 'round while we sing this song to youi
The many who wear wings but a,re not happy
Wear a smile on their lipst not in their hearts
They1 re overjoyed to wear the badge of an airman
But are sad in getting off to such bad starts*
A reason there must be for discontentment
Why the gloom as dark as any a blacked-out loop
Just ask them one and all and they will tell you
I** not a member of the____________Fighter Groupl
"MOONSHIISB11
(Tune: You Are My Sunshine)
You are my Moonshine, isy only moonshine
You guide my fighters
When skies are grey
I chase your bogies from here to Moji
Just to find they have gone the other way*
The other day boys, as I was flying
I heard Moonshine Controller say:
tfpve got a bogie down by Kurume
Wonft you head your jet that-a-way?*
He said he had me in radar contact
And I believed him like a dope
I flew to Moji - and still no bogie
He tod chased a fly across the scopei
You were my Moonshine, my only Moonshine
How could you let me down this way?
My chute was swingin1 - they heard me singin1
Won11 you take that Moonshine awayi
(Both songs from "Soiigs af the 8 :L
Fighter WingS)
»safb mi® ^n,»
(Tune: Wreck of the Old ,9#
They gave him his orders at old Itazuke
Saying. "Bill, you1 re !way behind time"
Take this safe hand mail in your war-dreary eighty
And put !er in Hagoya on time«,f
Bill turned and he said to his black* greasy. crew**chieff
"Is bbt spam-can ready to roll?
Just head ?e:c down the rutrway and open.up tho throttle
And 1*11 call Camel Control„"
There was one dark cloud between 3ofu and Uagoya
But Bill was a gauge- pilot bold
It was in this cloud that he spun all his gyros
And his 5 eighty did thz«e snap rolls»
He came roarin' down the bottom doin1 a million miles an hour
When tho*Hip$*a*ifcg came off with a scream
They found him in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
Still flying the Tokyo b'eaml
fare-thee well, oh fare-thee well
Cld Bill broke Ms eighty all to hell
There!.11 be no more snki-yaki at good old Itazuke
JPare-thee weJl; oh, faze-thee welll
(Prom "Songs of the 8th Fighter Wing*
by Capt* William Jo ("Borneo") McCryata.,)
5
AIR FOBCB «801»
(Tune: Wabash Cannonball)
iisten to the rumtale, oh hear old Merlin roar
t!n flying over Moji, like I never flew before
iear the mighty rush of the slipstream
IncL hear old Merlin roar
Pll wait a bit and say a prayer, and hope it gets me homa#
Etazuke tower, this is Air Force 801
[fn turning on the down-wind leg
)fy prop has over-run
!^f- coulantJs overheated, the guage says one^two-one
fou!d better call the crash crew, and get them on the run.
iir Force 801, this is Itazuke tower
I cannot call the crash crew, f Cause this is coffee hour!
foufre not cleared in the pattern, now that is plain to see*
3o take it on around again, we have some VIP!
Ctazuke tower, this is Air Force 801
t'n turning on the downwind leg, I see your biscuit gun*
tiy engine's running rough, and the coulantU gonna blow,
Vm gonna buy a Mustang, so look out down belowl
ttazuke tower, this is Air Force 801
Vm turning on the final, and runnin1 on one lung
C.Vja gonna Land this Mustang, no matter what you say
£ gotta get my charts fixed up before that judgement dayi
iir Force 801, this is judgement day
foufre in Pilot's Heaven, and you are here to stayl
STou just bought a Mustang, and you bought it well
Phe famous Air Force 801 was sent straight down to Helll
(From wSongs of the 8th Fighter Wirg
by Capt* William F. McOrystal)
6
(Tune: She111 be Comin1 Hound the Mountain)
Kow listen all you airmen young and old
To the tale of fighter pilots young and bold
With their fighters painted yellow
Leaping off to contact Mellow
In the crisp Korean air so blue and cold*
It was dive bomb old Sinuiju5 stop the Beds
JSight one thousand pounders loaded, instant heads
Pour birds lined up on the runway
Wish Va gone to church on Sunday
Hope we catch those lousy Commies in their beds.
Twenty thousand over Fyong Yang on Northwest
Gas Mask flight about to face the acid test
Till at last the Yalu fiiver
Which makes my liver quiver
. With flak guns lined up Zk abreast.
Dust clouds roll up from lafcung fcross the way
Twenty swept-wing Chinese war birds out to play
Thirty sevens- twenty threes
All lit up lite Christmas trees
Tip tanks salvoed off we leap into the fray*
Kirapo tower clear the pattern in great haste
Twenty victory rolls our pilots do with grace
It was thrilling* it was hairy
Hewr that priviliged sanctuary
Synghman Bhee will soon be president of this place.
Kimpo tower this is Gas Ma,sk Willie Four
I am heading home, I'm through with this damn war
I am flying on to USaegu
Heading 152 to K-2
Cause they1 re sending back to Moscow for some more.
(From "Songs of the 8th Filter Wing11
By Lt. "fiosie11 Rosencrans
7
I WAH!E8D WIHGS
I wanted wings till I got the Goddam things
Now I don't want them any more*
Oh they taught me how to fly, then they sent me here to die
I've got a belly full of war*
You can save those Zeroes for the Goddam heroes
Tor Distinguished Flying Grosses do not compensate for losses
■Busier, I wanted wings 'till I got the Goddam things
How I don:t want them any morel
I don21 to tour over Berlin or the fiuhr
Fl&k :aakes me part my lufcch
lor me there's no Hey Hey
Whey, they holler "Bombs Awayl*
I:d raiher be home with the bunch*
For there's one thing you can11 laugh off
And that's when they shoot your ass off
Jnd Id rather be home* Buster
With my ass than with a cluster
Buster, i wanted wings Hill' I got the Goddam things
liow I don!t want them any morel
Tou can tell an old banana
That we're headed for Vienna
If you:d thought a little faster
You?d have joined the quarternster
Buster, I wanted wings ftill I got the Goddam things
How I don't want them any morel
(From the publication *Bepulsive
Bhapsodies" 58th Filter Wing, 1952)
8
SAVS A FIGH33R PILOTS hl¥& (I)
Oh, I lined up with the runway and beaded for the ditch
I looked down at ray quadrant * my God, itfs in high pitch
I pulled back on the stick and rose into the air
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, how did I get there?
CHORUS:
4 Oh I&lielujah, Oh Hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grass
Save a fighier pilots life
Oh Hallelujah, Oh Hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grafcs
And you-11 he saved!
I started in to buaz, I thought that I was clear
And when I clipped the flagpole, I knew the end was near
I met the flying board, and they gave rae the works
Glory? Glory, Hallelujah, what a bunch of jerksl
Oh, I flew the traffic pattern, to ne it looked all right
And when I c&de my last:turn, % God* I racked it tight
And then the ship did shudder, the engine coughed and wheezed
Jfeyday* Mayday tf Colonel f*~^fi______$ spia instructions please I
CHORUS
Kow Pn in the gutter with pretzels in my beer
With pretzels in my whiskers, I knew the end was near
Then canie this glorious Air Force to save me from the worst
iSverybody bust a butt and sing the second versei
(Frcn ^Bepulsive Bhapsodiestt
58th Fighter Wing, 1952)
9
SAVJ8 A FIGHTJSR PttOT« S LIFJ1 (II)
Cruiain1 down the Yalu, doing 650 per
Gave a call to . . , ,
Oh, Won*t you save tm$ *iH
Got two big flak holes in ©y wings
tty tank fcinH got no gas
Jfeyday, mayday, mayday - got six WLGs on by assi
CEDBUS:
Oh hallelujah, oh hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grass
Save a fighter pilot1s life
Oh hallelujah! oh hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grass
And you111 be saved*
Made my traffic patternf to me it looked all right
Ity airspeed read 130
Mjr God, I racked it tight
The airframe gave a shudder
3*he engine gave a wheeze
ifeyday, mayday, mayday - spin instructions pleasel
CHORUS
Fouled up my crosswind landing, my left wing touched the ground
Got a call from Mobile
Pull up and go aroundl
I racked that __________ in the air
A dozen feet or more
The bastard snapped, I'm on ray back
Oh, save me, ___________________m 11
CBDHUS
Strafin1 on the panel
I made my pass too low
Cane a call from tower
"One more and home you goitt
I pullad that ,_____ in the blue
She hit a high-speed stall
Now I won*t be back this winter
When the workfs all done this fallj
(Prom ttSongs of the 49th Fighter-
Bonber Group" Compiled by Willy
Williams, 12 June 1951)
10
SkTA A FIGHIBR PILOT1 S LIFB (III)
It was midnight in Korea, all the pilots were in bed
When up stepped Colonel_____________And this is what he said*
I hate this______place I
Mas tangs, gentle pilois, Mas tangs one and all
Mustangs, gentle pilots - and the pilots shouted 3alls
Then up stepped a young Lieutenant with a voice as harsh as brasa
You can take those God Damn Mustangs Jack and shove !ern up your asi
GHDHJS:
Oh, hallelujah, oh hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grass
Save a fighter pilot !s life
Oh, hallelujah, oh hallelujah
Throw a nickel on the grass
And you111 be savedl
Cruising down the Yalu doing three-twenty per
I called to ny Plight Leader, ,rOh won't you save me sir?
Got two big flak holes in my wing, ay tanks ain!t got no gas
Mayday ~ Ifey&ay - Mayday - got six MiGs on ny asslw
I' Tie** my traffic pattern, to me it looked all right,
My air speed read 130, My God, I racked it tight
I turned into the final, sqt engine gave a wheeze
Mayday - Mayday - Mayday: Spin instructions please I
fouled up bqt croswind landing* qy left wing hit the ground
Came a call from tower* t 3$ and go around.tt
Backed that Mustang in the air a doaen feet or more
I*m on my back, itfs wofcee than flak, why did I use full bore?
Split S onto my bomb run I get too God Damn low
I pressed the ________button* let both agr babies go
I sucked the stick back in «y gut * I hit a high-speed stall
How I won't see my mother when the workfs all done this fall!
They sent me up to Pyongyang, the brief said l!Skosh* ack ackw
But by the time I got there my wings were holed by flak
My aircraft went into a spin* it would no longer fly
Mayday - Mayday - Mayday: I am too young to diei
I bailed out from that Mas tang, my landing was top line
With my S and £ equipment I made for our front line
Bu5 when I opened up my ration tin to see what was in it
The God Damn Quartermaster had filled the thing with shit.
Fow in this Commie prison camp I am obliged to sit
For one cannot go very far on a ration tin of shit
If I am ever free again, I will no longer fly
But I'll have Quartermaster bollix for breakfast till I die*
("Songs My Mother Mever Taugbfe Me11
18th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
11
OK TOP OF OLD FUJI
(Tune* On Top Of Old Smokey)
On top of old Fuji, all covered with snow
I lost my jet pilot from flying so low
He put on an air show3 be did it for me
At altitude aero he clobbered a ti*ee
With thrott,le wide open he made his last pass
On top of old Fuji he busted his assl
HSD BOSS MIGS
(Tune: Shrimp Boats)
Oh* thrifts* bte Migs are comin1
Kot a Sabre in sight
0h9 thfl^god Weac Migs arp comin1
And they want to fight
Let's hurry, hurry home
Ohf won't you hurry, hurry home?
Oh9 tht are comin1
Hot a Sabre in sight 1
MIG 15
(Tune: I T* ought I taw a Putt yea t)
I thought I taw a WLS 15
A tweeping up on me
I did, I did, I taw him
As big as he could be&
I am that great big MiG 15
Ivan is my name
And if I catch that f84
I111 shoot him down in flame I
(All three songs from "Repulsive
Bhapsodies,* 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
12
YOU CAH 3BEL A FIGHT2R PILOT
(Tune : Mine Hypp JE&vfr
By the ring around his eyeball you can tell a bombadier
Yon can tell a bomber pilot by the spread around his rear
You can tell a navigator by his sextants-, maps, and such
You Cwin '.;oll a lighter jockey, but you can't tell him muohl
(Inm the boys of the 509th Fighter-
Bonbe.7 Squadron* Langley AF3, Va#)
OFF W* GO
Back we comet off of a one-hour test hop
From over the land* and over the sea
For this feat we get a raise in rank
Ten days leave^ and a DjF,G*
Heroes all3 as you can judge by medals
Got a lot? and we-11 get some more
We're out to conquer a;ad we will
Nothing will stop the U.S. Air Force J
(Source: Lt* Silliman, 405th Fighter-
Bomber Wing)
Wi ABM HOE BOYS
We are the boys from the 7?th you've heard so much about
The mothers bring their daughters in
Whenever we go out I
We're always drinking whiskey, we1 re always drinking booze
Oh? we are the boys from the 77th
So who the hell are yousel
(From the boys of the 77th Fighter-
Bomber Squadron, 20th Fighter-Bomber
Wing)
TAG HMAD^UAHTiSRS
(Tune: Pepsi-Cola)
TAG Headquarters is the spot
Twenty-eight Colonels, that's a lot
Lots of brass with nothing to do
TAC Headquarters is the place for yout
Chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken, chicken_____I
13
We were fat back in the Truman1 s
Bricking beer, and sometimes wine
When they said*, l!You*re going over
To roreefa flgh^ag lire."
lU v^TO yoar:< e:iu w^ were eagor
To grit 01,8 btmcr^cL rjr.5 £0 hOUK*
JrJc they slipped ih~ fli^r j*;0 us
Aiid lef S u.3 here •• :?t-r c»*3r She foam
Sow they sit in JHAF Headquarters
fckking rules so much ur&ind
It!s the same the whole world over
Isn't it a bloody shameI
Shed a tear when you think of ua,
Sit-l-lug here or. old £-2
While you bleep with all our sweethearts
As we fily the eld Yalu*
WHBST YDUfi L2AWIS KAVS TUBH&D TO SILVER
When your leaves have turned to silver
Will you love us just the same?
Oh, we'll always call you "(Any old dirty Major)11
Isn!t it a bloody shame?
To she ('ays at Itazuke
And '-he parties that we knew
When your leaves have turned to silver
You can stick tham up your flue I
(I»t* Sffinger)
FLAK SHDWiSES
(Tune: April Showers)
Although Flak showers may come your way
They111 bring the panic, that makes you say
nifyr fuel is Josephine* I*m going home
So if you want to stay and fight? you may
Stay and fight alonei
I*ve added throttlef Ifm on my way
I!ll live to come back some other day
So keep on strafing that position
And knock it out for me
I'm just a close supporter, can't you seel
(All songs above from "Songs of the
49th Fighter-Bomber Group")
14
HriBSKd TO THE RBGULAR AIR FORGB *
Here!s to the regular Air Force
They have such a wonderful plan
They call up the God damn reservist
Whenever the shit hits the fanl
They call up every old pilot
Ther call up ere:?y young man
The reservists they go to Korea
The regulars stay in Japan
Here's to the regular Air Force
With medals and badges galore
If it weren't for the God damn reservist
Their ass would be dragging the floori
CHORUS: Fight on: Fight on:
Fight on Regular Air Force
Fight on: Fight on:
(From "Repulsive Rhapsodies)
53th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
TE3 RIVER MS ftSD
(Tune: The Good Ship Titanic)
Number One was having fun, Number Two got quite a few
Lumber Four got some more as he said
Ohf the river ran red with the blood of the dead
As we came around and tried to get some more.
The road was full of ruts, and the ruts were full of guts
Little children sucking tits had them shot right from their mitts
As we came around and tried to get some more*
There were women in the crowd, little children cried aloud
But they all carried guns for the foe*
There were some who turned around* when they heard that awful sound
As we came around and tried to get some more*
Oh it seemed an awful crime, as we shot them in their prime
But they got Eumber Three, don't you see
Yes, they shot him down with flak, and they broke his bloody back
As we came around and tried to get some more,
(Repeat first verse)
("Songs of the **9th Fighter-Bomber
Group" Conqpiled by Willy Williams,
12 June 1951)
15
B£?ALM
/Tunes T;ie Good Ship Titanic)
It was up by Sqpcri where the Yalu meets the sea
I was out on a recce to see what I could see
When I spied a farmer nan with his pitchfork in his hand
It was sad when my napalm went down*
CHORUS: It was sad, oh it was sad
It was sad when ioy napalm went down (hit the farmer)
There were husbands and wives
(Itty bitty children lost their lives )
It was sad when my napalm went downl
It was up by Kuniri where I won my D«F»C,
I was out on a recce to see what I could see
When I spied a church below and I let my rockets go
It was sad when those rockets went down*
CHDHDS: ^ It was sad, oh it was sad
It was sad when those rockets went down (Hit the steeple)
All the people ran like hell
When those rockets hit the bell
It was sad when those rockets went down*
It was up by Sinanju when I knew that I was through
The 50fs and 40!s had shot my turbine through
It was when I hit the silk - oh my God I strained my sdlki
It was sad when that pilot went down!
CEQ&US: It was sadf oh it was sad
It was sad when that pilot went down (hit the bottom)
There were husbands and wives
(Itty bitty children lost their lives)
It was sad when that pilot went down#
(49th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
16
STAID TO YOUR GLASSES
A poor aviator lay a-dying
At the end of a bright summers day
And his comrades wero gathered around him
To carry his, iVagiuetus &.way
Ofcu his bird v.v«s piled on his wishbone
And h.l? engine was trapped round his head
And he wore ?. spari: plug on each elbow
!Twas plain he would shortly be dead
Oh, he spat out a valve and a gasket
As he stirred in the sunip where he lay
And to his sorrowing conra&es
These brave parting words ha did say:
I'll be riding a cloud in the morning
With no Merlin before ir.e to course
So come along, and get busy
Another lad now wants the hearsei
Take the manifold out of my larnyy
And the cylinders out of my brain
Take the piston rods out of my kidneys
And assemble the engine again
With rusted fifties and rockets
With pilots as old as they seem
We fly these worn out Mustangs
Against the MiG fifteen
Forgotten by the laud that bor£ us
Betrayed by the one3 we held dear
The good have all gone before us
And only the dull are still here
So stand to your glasses steady
This world is a world full of lies
Fere's a toast to those dead already
And hereTs to the next man to die.
(Prom "Songs Ify Mother Hever Taught
Me" 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
17
COME AKD JOIIM TEE AIR FOR08
Come on and join the Air Force, it's a grand place so they say
You never have to work at all, just fly around ^11 day
While others woik and study hard, and soon grow old and blind
We'll take the air without a care, and you will never mind*
CHORUS:
You'll never mind, you111 never mind
0hf come and join the Air Force
And you will never mindl
Coeb on and get promoted as high as you desire
You're riding on a gravy train wnen you're an Air Force flyer
But just when you're about to be a general you'll find
The engine cough, the wings fall off, and you will never mindl
CHORUS:
You're flying over the ocean, you hear your engine spit
You see your prop come to a stop, the God Damn engine's quit
The ship won't float, you cannot swin, the shore is miles behind
Oh, what a dish for the crabs and fish, but you will never mindi
CHORUS:
Oh, someday you111 meet a Mig-15, he'll shoot you down in flames
No use in belly aching and calling the bastard names
You'll lose your wings, don't worry *faef another pair you'll find
You'll fly with Pete and the angels sweet and you will never mindi
CHORUS:
Oh, we're just a bunch of Air Force lads, and we donft give a damn
About the groundling's point of view and all that sort of ham
We want a hundred thousand ships of each and every kind
And now we've got our own Air Force, so we will never mindl
("Repulsive Rhapsodies" published
by 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
18
»&- SUlT^-^xD S/'&RACHtJTKS
'Tore: Bell Bottom Trousers)
Onco ther-2 was °. b^nrvids down in Brewry Lane
Her master was so krood to her? her mistress was the same
Along came a pilot., handsome as could be
He was the cause of all her misery!
CHORUS:
Singing r,G,! Suits and parachutes
And uniforms of blue
He'll fly a fighter
Like his daddy used to doi
He asked her for a pillow to rest his weary head
She gave it to him willfully and lost her maidenhead
And she like a silly girl5 thinking it no harm
Climbed in bed beside him? just to keep the pilot warm!
Now in the morning before the break of day
A five-pound note he banded ner* and this to her did say
"Take this my darling, for all the harm Ifve done
For you may have a daughter, and you may have a son
If you have a daughter, put ribbons in her hair
And if you have a son, get the bastard in the air!*1
How the moral of my story as you can plainly see
Is never trust a pilot an inch above your knee
The barmaid trusted one and be went off to fly
Leaving her a daughter to help the time go by!
FIML CHOHJS:
Singing ttGM Suits and parachutes
And uniforms of blue
She111 never fly a fighter
Like her daddy used to do I
("Repulsive Rhapsodies" 58th Fighter-
BoHfoer Wing)
19
MIL CUTTERS
(Tune: Cold, Cold Heart)
I tried so hard:?. Wild Bill, to cat
That streak of railroad track
But Pin afraid that all I did
Was dodge that flying flak
I know that one is all it takes
To blow my ass apart
Why canft I get just one rail cut
And melt your cold* cold heart?
BAHLY ABORT
(Tune: MicMamaraf6 Band)
Oh, my name is Colonel_________, !• m the leader of the group
Come down into my briefing and I111 give you all the poop
I'll tell you where the enemy is and where the flak is black
Cause Ifm the last one off the ground
And I'm the first one back!
CHORUS:
iSarly abort (Pom Pom) avoid the rush
Barly abort (Pom Pom) avoid the rush
My name is Colonel ___________, I'm the leader of the Groupl
(Both songs above from "Repulsive
Rhapsodies,11 58th JTigiater-Bomber Wing
PARTIES BAMciUJKPS AMD BALLS
(Tune: Take Me Out To The Ballgame)
Parties. Banquets, and Balls, boys
Parties, Banquets, and Balls
As President Truman has said before
There !s only one way to stay out of a war
That's with Parties, Banquets, and Balls, boys
Partiest Banquets, and Balls
We'll have Parties and Banquets
And Banquets and Parties
And Balls, Balls, Balls!
(■'Songa My Mother Sever Taught Me11
18th Fighter-Bomber Wing
20
WES133T a: .BBS. OLD »97
There were 97 airplanes vrarming up on the apron
Hot enough room you conld see
Kow the first :ainety-six ware of recent construction
But the last one wa?j a i'Lfty-one D»
She was old * 97 a^ ~he had a fine record
But she hadn't iDeeii flown that year
And she creaked a,ud groaned when they started her engine
For she knew that her time was neara
A Second Lieutenant wandered into Operations
And lie asked for a ship or two
And they said, "Young man5 we are very short of airplanes
But we111 see what we can do*
'•Now the first forty seven are reserved for Majors
And the Captains have the next forty nine
But there's one more ship on the end of the apron
The last ship upon the line*"
He was headed for Wonju and from there to Chinhae
And he ha,d to make that flight
So he said, H€*K*; if you give me a clearance
I will get there sometime tonight J1
Oh, he flew over Taejon and the Taegu Airstrip
And the ceiling began to fall
And the clouds closed down on the tops of the mountains
And he couldn!t see the grcund at all*
He flew through rain and he flew through a snowstorm
Till the light began to fail
When he found a railroad going in his direction
And he said, •IU1 get tfcsre by rail,11
He flew down a valley and he dodged through the mountains
And he kept that road in sight
Till the rails disappeared through a tunnel in the mountains
And he ended his last long flight«
There was old ' 97r with her nose in the mountain
And he:r wheels upen the trr*ck
And her throttle was bent in tie forward position
But her engine was facing back!
Now ladies please listen and heed my warning
From this time ever on
Never speak harsh woMs to your f lyboy husband
He may leave you and never return*
("Songs My Mother Sever Taught Me,r
18th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
21
JUST GIVE MS OPERATIONS
Don't give me a P-38 with props that counter rotate
They'll loop roll and spin but they'll soon auger in
Don't give me a P-381
CHORUS:
Just give me Operations
Way out on some lonely atoll
For I am too young to die
I *<nst want to go home.
Don't give me a P-39 with an engine that's mounted behind
It will tumble and roll and dig a deep hole
Don't give me a P-391
Don't give me a Curtiss Warhawk, about it the pilots all squawq
It flew like a sparrow but its gear was too narrow
Don't give me a Curtiss Warhawki
Don't give me an old Thunderbolt, it gave many a pilot a jolt
It looks like a jug and it flies like a tug
Don't give mk an old Thunderbolts
Don't give me an F-Shooting Star, it'll go but not very far
It'll runble and spout but soon will flame out
Don'jt give ma an F-Shooting Star!
Don't give me an T-tWy their pilots aren't here any more
They bombed in that crate, but they all pulled out late
Don't give me an F-841
Don't give me an F~86 with wings like broken match sticks
They'll zoom and they'll hover but as for top cover
Don't give me an F-861
Don't give me an F~89t thoiigh "Time" says they really will climb
They're all in the states, all boxed up in crates
Don't give me an F-89I
Don't give me an F-9^* it's never established a score
It my fly in weather but won't hold together
Don't give me an F-9^«
Just give me an old '51| with praise for the work it has done
It's tried and it's true and will take care of you
Just give me an old '5H
(FINal CHORUS) Just give me my old Mustang
For defending democracy's cause
For I am too young to die
I just want to go home I
32
This ole team gonna need* revision
This ole team gonna need a erew
This ole team has thrived on gimmicks
Have you seen our jink and "bl:-e?
This ole team has frosty ta5.Ipf.pen
This ole team has lost its charm
And the Captain said the other day
My. boys * you*ve bought the farml
Ain!t gonna need this team no longer
Air!t gonna need, this tea,n no more
Ain't" got time to learn the diamond
Ain't got time to learn the score
Ain!t got nerve to do a bomb burst
Or a plane 1o do the roll
And we're looking for the P.I.,0.
Who got Vi.s :.n thi3 hc.ug'
This ole team oan?t fly in weather
This ole team can* t fly in min
This ole team is out of "Dints of blue
We1 re called ole yellow stain
This ole team is getting lonesome
This ole team has gone astray
And weJre just five angel puddy cats
Awaitin: judgement dayi
A1.nst gor.na need this team no longer
Air.'t gor.aa n3ed thi& team no more
1'■,L.:ji got tinw to be a Uger
A*r..: u g:n- ^irre to give a. roar
Air.* b go*: pAa:aee that hold together
Or th?;-fc G—ovic underwear
Bit w?'^e r*cfc cvx pretty flying suits
So w? dor.! b really c&rei
(Lto John Coleman, 325th Fighter-
Interceptor Squadron)
23
FIGHTSR PILOTS
Oh there are no fighter pilots down in Hell
Oh there are no fighter pilots down in Hell
The place is full of queers
Navigators* Bomhadiers
Oh there aru no fighter pilots down in Belli
Oh there are no fighter pilots in the States
Oh th<?re* s.re no fighter pilots in the States
They are of? on foreign shores
Making mothers out of vhoras
Ch thcye are no fighter pilots in the States!
Oh the bomber piicrt! s life is Just a farce
Ch the bomber pilotfs life is just a farce
The automatic pilot's on
Reading novels in tie John
Oh the bonber pilot's life is just a farcel
OJj, the bomber pilot never takes a dare
Oh the bomber pilot never takes a dare
His gyros are uneagei
And his women overawed
Oh the bomber pilot; never takes a dare I
Oh there s.tz no f i-jhter pilots up in Fifth
Oh there are vo fighter pilots up in Fifth
The place is fuil of brass
Sitting round on thoir fat ass
Oh there are no fighter pilots up in Fifth!
Oh there are no fighter pilots in Japan
Oh there are no fighter pilots in Japan
They are all across,the bay
Being shot at every day
Oh there are no fighter pilots in Japan!
Oh it!s naughty naughty naughty but it's nice
If you aver do it once you'll do it twice
It'll wreck your reputation
But increase the population
It?s naughty naughty naughty but it's nice!
When a bcnr>er jockey walks into our club
When a boaiber jockey walks into our club
He don't fli-nt alt. share of suds
All he deea i* flub his dub
Oh there are no fighter pilots down in Hell!
24
IAMSNT OF TH2 BffiBRVIST
(Tunei Cigareets and Whiskey)
*****
I was a civilian and flew on weekends
No sweat about clanks and no sign of the bends
But I am a retread and older I grow
Now I fly a Mustahg, itfs old and it's slow.
CHOHJS*
Thrryll drive you crazy, they111 drive you insaije
tyinl fifties and forties, and one hundred sorties
They 11 drive you crazy
They'll drive you insanei
Oh* orce I was happy and I flew a jet
At 35*COO how fat can you get?
They sent me to lellis for six weeks to train
They gave me a Mustang, it*s no aero-planei
We strafed and we bombed and we shot air to air
Then off to Korea, we1 re fouled wo for fair
We came to K-Jfour-Six to fly with this Group
Ity bair*s turning gray and my wings have *[ droopi
I flew soy first mission and it was a snap
Just follow the leader, don't look at a ma?
But now Ifve got eighty and lead a sad flight
Go out on armed recce and can't sleep at night I
Vent up to Mig Alley, S-2 said mo sweat
If I had not looked round* I'd be up there yet
Six Migs jumped our ass and the Leader yelled Break
Sixty-one and 3000f how wyr knees did sbakel
If I live through a hundred and they ask for more
I111 tell them to shove it, my ass is too sore
They can ram it and jam it for all ttet I care
Just give me a Wing job, a desk and a chair!
(IfSongs Ity Mother Never Taught Me,11
18th Fighter-Bomber Wing)
25
KUNI^HI AMD AHOTG
(Tune: Cigareets and Whiskey)
Once I was happy and had a good deal
Flow Pox-86!s at eld Victorville
They asked for a volunteer, said "I'll take you"
The next thing I knew I was stuck in Taegui
CHOHUS:
Kuni-ri and Antung, and Wild, Wild Pyong-yang
They111 drive you crazy, they111 drive you insane
^uad fifties and forties and one hundred sorties
They'll drive you crazy, they111 drive you insanei
We go down to briefing while it is still night
We lift off the runway before it is light
We form in the gloom and we're off on our way
We're over the target before it is day* ch******
We're up to the Yalu, there!s cons overhead
We think of the wheels who are snug in their beds
We drop our big tips and we break to the right
We steer on. 280, we're up in the soup
he swear that the leader is doing a loop
Break out in the clear and set down on K-2 ^ „
Be careful or
If I fly a hundred and they ask for more
I'll tell them to jam it - my ass is too sore
They can ram it and jam it for all that I care
Just give me a wing job - a desk and a chair 1
(From Songs of the jforty-Hinth
Fighter-Bomber Group)
26
ON TOP OP OLD PYONGYANG
(Timet On Top of Old Smokey)
On top of old Pyongyang
411 covered with flak
I lost my poor wing man
He'll never get back
For flying is a pleasure
And dying a grief
And a quick-triggered Commie
Is worse than a thief
For a thief will just rob you
And take all you save
But a quick-triggered Commie
Will send you to the grave
The grave will decay you
And turn you to dust
Not a Commie in a thousand
Can an old Mustang trust
Now when the had weather
Keeps the ships down
All day we can hear this
9?his horrible souad:
"Attention all pilots
Mow listen to this
There111 be a short meeting
That you dare not miss."
They111 give us some lectures
Then give us some more
But we have all heard them
Twenty-five times or more
Now listen you trainees
You can1t fight the Group
Whatever they tell you
Is superfluous poop
Now the moral of this story
Is easy to see
Don't go to Sinanju
Or old Kuniril
(tfSongs My Mother Never Taught Mew
18th Fighter-Bomber Group)
27
THSJ MAN BiffilND IHS AEM5B PLAT3D DESK
(Tune; Strip Polka)
I&rly in the morning when the engines start to roar
You can see the old goat standing
Beside his office door*
He*ll "be sweating out the take-off
As he's often done before
The man behind the arraor plated desk!
Pour times he!s led us up there
And he always led us back
For he circled oefr the IfP«
As we went in to attack
He said, nI!m hard yet fair, hoys, but allergic
to ack ack
The man behind the armor plated deski
And when the target's sighted
Who inspires our attack?
Who says? "Hundreds may go in, lads,
But a few aren!t coming back
Who says, "We'll disregard the minimum
When you supress the flak,11
The man behind the armor plated desk*
And when the mission's over
And debriefing they should be
You can search the whole field over
But not a pilot will' jrou see
For they'll all be at the "Q" Club
With a mixed drink in their hand
Singing "The Man Behind The Armor Plated Desk"!
("Songs My Mother Nerer Taught Me,"
18th Fighter-Bomber Wing
28
TACHIKAWA, YOKOHAMA, ITAZUEB
(Tune: Hawaiian War Chant)
Tachikawa, Yokohama, Itazuke
Tachikav/a, Yokohama, Itazuke
Tachikawa - - - Yokohama - - - Itazuke is the place I
Ah, So, (Tachikawa); Ah, So, (Yokohama)
Ah, So, (Itazuke); Ah, So, KIMPOl
Frozen Chosen is the place for you, my boy
Frozen Chosen is the place for you, my boy
Frozen Chosen Chosen Frozen,,Frozen Chozen is the placel
Ah, So, (Frozen Chosen); Ah, So, (Chosen Frozen)
Ah, So, (Frozen Chosen); Ah, So, ZIMPOi
QJiCJE TH3Y WSRB-HAPPY
(Tune; Man On The Flying Trapeze)
Once they were happy, completely at ease
They flew their F-80*s like a swingin1 trapeze
They looped !em, they rolled fem, they bounced DC-3rs
But, alas, boys, their wings have been clippedi
One day they approached Itazuke
Jet leader called echelon right
Mustangs at nine o'clock level
Let*s see if 8th Fighter will fight I
The F~80rs broke left and: the Mustangs broke right
I think they see us, says Jet Four in fright
They* re all pullin1 streamers, says Jet Number Three
Let's go home, this is no place to bei
But the Mustangs had sighted the Bogies
They pulled through the top of a looo
They dove on the trembling F-80's
My God, they have scrambled the Groooopi
The Jets headed home at a hundred percent
In fact Number Four had the throttle stop bend
Back to Misawa, to Misawa they went
Never to bounce any morel
("Songs of the 8th Fighter Wing")
29
•NSOBO OF TSB 18th
(Tune: Wreck of the Old *97)
Itrs a long, long road from Pusan to Pyong-yang
And the mountains are high and wide
If my engine quits, you can write off a Mustang
Cause I'm fixing to go over the side!
Col. McBride led his boys on a mission
and the Chinks started throwing up flak
He said, "Eun 'em up, boys, and we'll clean out our
engines
And the drinks are on the last one to get back*11
Close support is a damn fine sortie
Cause you work so close to the troops
You get hit twelve times by a 120.or a H|0
And your engine coughs and sputters and poops »
So you hit the silk and you land in a meadow
And the Chinks start blazing away
And a 'copter comes along and picks up your elbow
Registration boys will find the rest some day.
It's a damn fine war and I love every mission
And I guess I'm Here to stay
But I'd rather shag a broad by suggestive coition
Or catch the clap in old Santa Pe«
(Source: Lt« Jim Daleo)
30
THL AIR FGHC3 HaS GQM TQ YUU>
(Tune: Mine Styes Have Seen the Glory)
Mine eyes have seen the days of men
Who ruled the fighting sky
With hearts that laughed at death and lived
For nothing hut to fly
But now those hearts are grounded
And these days are long gone "by
The Air Force's gone to lie Hi
CHORUS:
Glory Plying Regulations
Have them read at every station
Grucify the man that "breaks one
The Air Force's gone to Hell I
I have seen them in their T-Bolts when
Their eyes were dancing flame
I have seen their screaming power dives
That plastered Goering's name
But now they fly like sissies
And they hang tueir heads in shame
Their spirit1s shot to Hell!
CHORUS
They flew their Mustang fighters
Through a living Hell of flak
And the bloody dying pilots gave
Their lives to bring tnem back
But now they all play ping-pong
*• In the operations shak
Their technique's gone to Hell!
( CHORUS
(From "Songs of the 325th Fighter-
Interceptor Squadron)
31
IF YOU PLY .♦•
If #ou fly an jBighty-Uinc
You must be deaf, dumb and blind
For your life ainxt worth a dime
What's your scheduled blow-up time?
CHMttJS: Did you go BOOM today?
Did you go BOOM today?
Tv/o mcru blew up yesterday
Allison ainft here to stayl.,
If you fly a ninety-four
You will never holler more
For your lot we do not pine
It's better than an Jighty-Mnel
OiDHlJS
If you fly au Eighty-Six
You will really get your kicks
Bouncing those sub-sonic boys
Playing with their radar toysl
CKOBUS
II YOU ILY A 1-2-4-
YOU WILL Fliu) 12 JJIEB A B0±3
12? EL ESS LIES A» OU B IRItf j)QOR
A*«D IT MuIG*S YOUK FAiM SOM
' CHO&SU: Did you go OUCH today?
Did you go OUCH today?
fourteen hours yesterday
What a way to earn your pay;
CLSAR T*L» PAKliHlSr
Clear the pattern, call the crash crew
__________ leads the Group
They were losted* fuel exhausted
They'll be landing from a loop.
Yes, he led us into weather
Lightning flashes all around
__________ says, "I'll fly tne guages,"
But we came out upside down
(He-peat first four lines)
(Vrom "Songs of the 325th Wguter-
Interceptor Squadron)
Ten thousand dollars home to the folks
Ten thousand dollars home to tne folks
An engine goes Ka-flooey
Another pilot croaks, Heyi
Ten thousand dollars home to the folks*
YOU'D BSSTJd G3T IDUES'EdP A GUY
You*d better get yourself a guy
Who stays right here upon the ground
And doesn't wear those suiny, silver wings
Ai*& wnexx the evening shadows fall
There* 11 be no long distance call
To say he * s R-Q-Bing in Palm Springs!,
He* 11 be known in every bar across the country
.from blondes, brunettes, and redheads he will flee
You'd better get yourself a "Mister" in a grey tweed suit
And not a pilot in the A6D»GH
(tfrom "Sony's of tne 325th lighter-
laterceptor Squadron)
33
TEN THOUSAxoJ DOLLARS
Whataya gonna do with a drunken pilot?
Whatayu gonna do with a drunken pilot?
W'hataya gonna do with a drunken pilot?
Early in the morning!
Put him in the back of a ___
Put him in the "back of a_______
Put him in the back of a_______
^iarly in tne morningl
Eut? him on tne wing of a ______
Put him on the wing of a _____
Put him on the wing of a ,.
JSarly in the morningl
That's what you do with a drunken pilot
That's what you do with a drunken pilot
That's wiut you do with a drunken pilot
-ii^rly iw the moruingl
air macs som
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder
Climbing high, into the sun
Here they come, zooming to meet our thunder
At"'em boys, give her the gun
Down we dive, shotting our flame from under
Off with one, hell of a roar
We live in fame, or go down in flame
Nothing can stop the U, S* Air Forcei
Herefs a toast to the host of those who boast
The vastness of the sky
To a friend we send a message of
His brother men who fly
We drink to those who gave their all of old
As down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold
Here!s a toast to the host of those who boast
The V. S, Air Force 1
LORD GUARD AM) GUIDE TSOi MM WHO JIT
(Tune: Quebec)
Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
^Throf the great spaces of the sky
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
Thou who doth keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight
Thou of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having Thee, they know no fear..
Control their minds with instinct fit
What time, adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land;
Grant steadfast eye and skillfull hand.
Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with Thy saving grace
0 God, protect the men that fly
Thro* lonely ways beneath the sky.
(Words by Many Hamilton, 1915. Copied
from AIR F0RC3 TIM3S, 16 October 1954)
nAn Irish Airman Forsees His Death"
by William Butler Yeat3
111 know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those I fight I do not hate
Those I guard I do not love*»0#
Hor law, nor duty bade me fight
Nor public men, noi: cheering crowds.
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds
I balanced all, brought all to mind
The yoars to come seem waste of breath
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with tais life, this death*"