High Flight

The famous aviation poem written in 1941 by 19-year-old Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr, three months before he was killed.
Inscribed on his gravestone are the first and last lines from his poem:
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth -
Put out my hand and touched the Face of God."

[@robcleaver4964]

I used this as part of the funeral service for my hero, friend and father, Sidney Cleaver who died aged 94 on July 27th 2018. He was a British Spitfire pilot in WWII with 607 Squadron serving in Burma in 1944-45 helping defend the frontiers of India against the Japanese. He was only 19 and far from home and lost many close friends. I will miss him dearly but he and Mum will always be in my heart and never far from my thoughts. Safe flight Dad - I will love you forever xxx

[@edytjoson]

Such exquisitely expressive poetry from a teenager tells me he had the talent beyond many a poet laureate. I'm simply stunned.

[@1953SM]

I'm 64 and I remember when I was around 10 this was the sign off of television with cloud video and vocals when TV shut off for the night around the early 60's in Las Vegas, NV. It was a stirring moment I watched every night.

[@francesfarmer736]

Me too ....I was in Sacramento.....sign off television 1960s

[@arty658]

My grandpa was an airline pilot and we read this at his funeral. I miss you grandpa

[@arty658]

I miss you grandpa Clyde but you are where you belong in the sky

[@paulgerald7682]

Thank you so much for this , from a proud Canadian . 🇨🇦✌️👍. I am in tears as of now . We are the best . Canadian Forces . 👍✌️🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@effemess]

I am 70, 10 years ago I retired from the job that I loved, an Airline pilot, this poem I have asked my young wife to have recited at my funeral. Not many people can say that they never had that Monday morning feeling, I can!

[@mwertyuio1]

i had to memorize this poem for home work.....BEST HOMEWORK EVER! i really enjoy this poem

[@zmoonn]

He's so beautifully put together the love, joy and thrill of flying in words! RIP great soul.

[@debbiemiller4858]

We are using this as the ending to my dad's funeral service. He was 94 and a WWII B-24 fighter pilot. I cry every time I see it.

[@keithpopko7068]

I salute you father, and thank him for his service. He was part of the "greatest generation" that sacrificed so much during the 2nd World War. What an appropriate acknowledgement of his service at his funeral. May he rest in peace.

[@debbiemiller4858]

Thank you so much for your kind comment, Keith. We miss him every day but are so very thankful for our time with him. He was a man of great integrity and honor...our country will never see another generation like his.

[@jwfarish21]

Yes, my father was a jet pilot and we used it at his service. Very appropriate.

[@kcolbert4540]

A copy of this is exact video is buried in Arlington with a Air Force pilot as well as being played at his funeral

[@trudykells]

Debbie Miller Montgomery wow! We used this for my Dads funeral as well. Flying is in my blood- he flew his entire life from the USAF then Corporate almost anything that could fly -he flew!!! God bless you & your Dad too.

[@Juliostudio1]

I read this poem Flight many years ago & it still remains in my mind & heart as an excellent & beautiful portrayal of what many pilots must experience while flying in the air everywhere under the watchful eye of our almighty Lord & God. God Bless the pilot 19 yr old Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr.who wrote this message three months before he was killed. Love is the Answer, julio c henriques/artist

[@janisfowler5235]

Beautiful. It made me cry. On my very first flight on a jet, the pilot recited this as we flew. I was so struck by it, and I have never forgotten that flight.

[@hillsmomhillsmom6668]

My husband was a fighter pilot in WWII flying off the Langley (CVL 27) in the Pacific. Unfortunately he's losing many old friends and shipmates to age. I'll try to copy this quotation for you, but I've not been able to find the author of "Pilot thoughts" "Once the wings go on, they never come off whether they can be seen or not. It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear and adrenaline and no one who has ever worn them with pride, integrity and guts can ever sleep through the "call of the wild" that wafts through the bedroom windows in the deep of the night. When a good aircrewman leaves the "job" and retires, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the world of flying, there is a fellowship which lasts long after the flight suits are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of a man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. Because we flew, we envy no man on earth." Author Unknown

[@effemess]

So, so true your quotation, believe me, I know!

[@eaviator]

Thank you so much for posting this. I've been a pilot for 47 years and still going. 1st time I've seen it. Beautiful. Speaks to every pilot.

[@eaviator]

Thank you so much for posting this. I've been a pilot for 47 years and still going. 1st time I've seen it. Beautiful. Speaks to every pilot.

[@solarnaut]

Thank You Hillsmom ! How eloquent … how beautiful... how poignant … how bittersweet … it echos (a bit) in the words of the author (played by Richard Dryfus) in the movie, "Stand By Me" where, in narration, he recalls the friendships of childhood and laments that no others may be more profound … we all get our blessings and our challenges, but perhaps a greatest gift is to be able to be able to feel, with gratitude, even some of the so many grand moments that life hurls at us … daily.

[@robertjoannides2626]

Wow what a meaningful message I'm awed! Thank You

[@gert944]

Nice! As a pilot myself, this sums it up really... Rip P.O. John Magee!

[@karensmith3565]

My Dad quoted that poem to me as a kid, I fell in love with this poem. Am attempting to memorize it. It’s not very long. Go to it, pilots, and touch the face of GOD,

[@archtopbrownie]

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.

[@abitateach]

Thank you. This touches my heart as I remember my brother, 1st Lt. John T. Jenkins, USMC, this Memorial Day.

[@joannevargas9638]

I wish I could compose as beautifully as this auther. A long time ago, I remember tv stations would sign off at night and play this beautiful poem.

[@mikehall4174]

I am a retired Fighter/Airline Pilot. Watching this makes me remember...

[@5000mahmud]

what was it like to fly?

[@nsaadverse8794]

I have a 91 year old friend who flew both the SR-71 and the U-2. He did touch the face of God.

[@ubuibiok]

"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.

[@Bing6813]

This musical adaptation of the Poem HIGH FLIGHT is my favorite --Simple , Dramatic and unforgettable

[@roberthyde6362]

Yesterday, I took a Memorial Service, part of which involved reading this incredible poem. It was a tough line to walk, as it invoked many personal emotions. My uncle Percy died serving with the RAF in 1945. We are steadily losing a generation of people whose values and view of life was shaped by WWII. We owe them a great debt.

[@sheracad]

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...

[@thebeatsmith6594]

I remember as a child seeing this as the station I was watching signed off....I always felt sad but inspired by it.....Tonight I heard again for the first time 50 years and know know why I felt that way........Rest peacefully Dad.....I'm all right......I love you.

[@crewdawg2323]

"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

[@busynotbored]

As WWII re enactor...guage repair tech...Army Aircorp WAC, 1942, I think this would be a perfect recitation for the memory of those gone before.

[@Ninox37]

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.

[@conradinhawaii7856]

Have you followed through with what you wrote here eleven years ago? I hope so, and I hope you have been successful at it. I won't ask if you've loved it, because I know.

[@tallandhandsome29]

The words leave me breathless with their imagery and sheer beauty. What might he have produced for us had he lived, I wonder?

[@goosegaurd]

Long live the pilots and planes who have soared through the wild blue and touched the face of God. Many are gone. But they will NEVER be forgotten.

[@wrnmichele]

I love this wordless version! seems to capture the essence and lets us use our imagination... LOVELY!!!

[@daviddrake7003]

Absolutely fantastic video. Stunning photography and stirring music! How about Sending it to James Earl Jones to read? I think this will go viral !!! RIP P. O. John Gillespie Magee!

[@aldoorn]

my dad has this on the wall in our house when I was growing up

[@anniecat50]

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?

[@bettyemoore7203]

To all of my former students from Lewisville High School, who are hurting and missing a former classmate, today. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve.

[@antoinettevanderpool3192]

Donald Richard Magill / Antoinette A. Vanderpool/Magill At my father's funeral, this lovely poem was read and was also televised. Such a perfect poem for all those who have "touched the the face of God and all the wonders He has blessed us with" . We sometimes forget all he has blessed us with.

[@JonnysKia]

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.

[@alexcichy5056]

The line actually is: "Where never lark or even eagle flew." not "Where never lark or ever eagle flew."

[@conradinhawaii7856]

Yup... you'd think that they would have "sweated the details" on this one just a bit more, given the poem that they were displaying. Oh, well...

[@earlgarcia2736]

John Denver went into the studio, added one verse, and set this to music. If you haven't heard this, you're really missing a beautiful song. Check it out.

[@conradinhawaii7856]

Yup... and John definitely knew about what he was writing with "The Higher We Fly". Sure do miss him. He did his last concert here in Hawai'i at the Waikiki Shell outdoor theater just six months before he was killed off Monterey Peninsula. We were front row center. 💖⚘

[@buckgold3947]

My Fight with Leukemia is eased when I hear these words...

[@davidlowe982]

This wonderful presentation made me cry.

[@aflack]

Near Perfect video the only thing lacking is a tribute to a great poets tragic life cut short by war!

[@susiehaynie1767]

Thank you for taking me back to my childhood. This was beautiful!

[@skidoo261]

Indeed my friend, indeed. no one sees the greased stained face, cut up hands of the sweaty aircraft maintenance engineer.

[@erzbet07]

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.

[@traylorvh]

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,

[@vaiaata]

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...

[@manuelperales8217]

The poem of an angel

[@chadfarber6147]

REST IN PEACE MORGAN GABRIEL FARBER FLY HIGH MY SON

[@trudykells]

Love this so much ... especially... eternally... always fly high Dad ~ now you really are able to reach out & touch the face of God! Love you always 😘Dad

[@wsogft]

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.

[@kritisrivastava9393]

May 24, 2021. Remembering the dream to fly that I .....

[@RoseMarieRaccioppi]

We read, we listen, we feel, and too, we soar on the wings of spirit, so beautifully made known.

[@walterlopez9492]

Just a beautiful poem, very inspiring. I did enjoy it very much. When I see the video and hear the music, brings back to me many memories when I was flying. Is a good one.

[@JaimeGarcia-sk8cb]

Reflecting on my infatuation with aviation

[@laddieluv1]

Stunning. Brilliant. Moving music choice, too. Basil Poledouris was a genius. IMO. Another talent gone too soon. ☺

[@Carter8442]

This piece is AWESOME! What wonder and poetry!

[@edytjoson]

So beautiful. The music illustrates the words perfectly.

[@jimmyb227]

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.

[@conradinhawaii7856]

Well... a couple lines of it, anyway. I wish that he had read the entire poem. It would have been fitting... especially "... and done a hundred things.... you have not DREAMED of."

[@alexandrachapman8603]

Hi I’m having my fathers funeral next week and could I please have your permission to have this projected at the funeral? He was a pilot and this would mean a lot! Many thanks

[@bvonny]

i love it , it is amazing my religon teacher showed us this clip and i was truly amazed

[@cutah321]

There is a Norwegian folk rock band that has translated this poem for one of their songs. Used to be here on youtube, but could not fint it. Called Høytflyvning by Vamp.

[@jessihall0854]

I love this poem 🕊️❤️

[@aflack]

@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!

[@amarpreetsingh7066]

I've been thinking about these words....now that's where there from

[@bvonny]

I love this clip so much and now im using it in a english assignment

[@billseibert2602]

Very nicely done

[@mrmakemakkara]

SHALOM VERY VERY VERY NIC VIDEOS TOV TODA

[@traylorvh]

Beautiful .......

[@KateMadison]

What is this piece of music called? I'm trying to find it. Can anyone help?

[@dougspunaugle521]

+ActorsatWork The last couple of seconds states the music and composer. Return/Reunion by Basil Poledouris. An initial search tells me it could be any one of several works, I haven't found the right one yet (e.g. Willy, Lassie, etc.).

[@nussbaumjm]

Lassie soundtrack.

[@MusicWitt]

Great! Thanks!

[@garyduganmusic]

You've done a marvelous job of evoking the emotions of the poem with the pictures! Thanks very much for this fine video. I set the poem to music a few years ago, and if you're not too burned out on the subject, I'd love to know your thoughts on my interpretation. You can find it on my channel - it's one of only 2 videos there - only music, no pictures. Thanks again, and blessings to you!

[@MaxTontarra]

beautiful.... just watch it and dream

[@BomberGerman]

I work in the same building that is poem was wrote in up in llandow in Wales

[@luckyfredneck]

I graduated from Avon Old Farms School where the poet also graduated from and I am a huge fan of Welshie, Mezzo Soprano, Katherine Jenkins, from Neath :-).

[@Houdi2]

I heard it from one who was in his squadron that he died in the traffic pattern in a mid-air collision.

[@bobybarra3096]

Thank you 😊 Army Air Cavalry, I touched 💜 some sky, ❤ together air fielded safe landing to salute 🙏 Thanks.

[@JeanLucRPS]

Magnifique ! Merci !!!

[@MusicWitt]

what is the name of this musical piece and who wrote it? thanks.

[@DrJamesMac]

Very nice.

[@juliaaaannn]

really nice vid. best regards, Julian;-)

[@steventeaster782]

THIS IS MUSIC TO MY HEART #ONELOVE

[@vaiaata]

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.

[@raylaskowski311]

Background Music is credited at the end of this beautiful piece. Return/Reunion, Basil Poledouris.

[@mmcbey1401]

There is a lot of interesting information on John G Magee and his poem here:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_Magee_Jr I also have a photo of his gravestone on my flikr page.

[@yelsmlaugh]

And who composed this music? The poem has been set to music by more than one composer, and sung by more than one singer. But I cannot find any of them.

[@nussbaumjm]

Basil Poledouris. From the Lassie soundtrack.

[@cosi66]

Yes,you right

[@vaiaata]

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.

[@garyduganmusic]

Quite beautiful.

[@Xxoax]

Quarantized inertia for the win!

[@RIDETHESUNSHINE]

"On Memorial Day, I don't want to only remember the combatants. There were also those who came out of the trenches as writers and poets, who started preaching peace, men and women who have made this world a kinder place to live. " Eric Burdon . . . . . Amen, R.I.P. Airman Magee, you did not survive, but your words will live forever, Will

[@Gvieto]

Awesome.

[@roberthenderson8961]

I'm reminded of my Russell .

[@ricardogobbo]

Verdadeiramente, somos privilegiados por termos recebido uma dádiva de Deus a ponto de podermos sentir o que traz o video, enquanto desempenhando a nossa atividade nos céus, como pilotos. Segue uma breve tradução para facilitar o entendimento da mensagem que traz o video: "Oh! Eu tenho deslizado acima das rudes prisões da Terra, E dançando nos céus em altas asas prateadas Voltado para o sol eu tenho escalado os ares E encontrando estonteantes nos seus raios que surgem alegrias por entre nuvens. E tenho feito uma centena de coisas Com que você nem tem sonhado Girando e planando e balançando Alto no silêncio iluminado pelo sol Lá, flutuando, eu tenho perseguido o clamar do vento E atirando minha ávida máquina através dos flutuantes salões do ar Alto, alto, ao longo dos ardentes delírios azuis Eu tenho ultrapassado alturas variadas pelo vento, em suave graça Onde nenhuma cotovia ou mesmo águia voou. Em silêncio, elevando em pensamento, eu tenho caminhado Pela inviolável entidade do espaço, Estendido a minha mão e tocando a face de Deus."

[@Unmedicated_Moments]

To touch the face of God

[@aflack]

@aflack err correction before america joined the war!

[@eddykluijver9585]

cancel my registration

[@vaiaata]

OK - that makes sense! vaiaata'at'earthlink'dot'net