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- The Air Corps had no budget of its own for such pursuits. Regardless, then-Brig. Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold and his boss, Maj. Gen. Oscar Westover, sought a song to capture the distinctive identity of airmen. They found support in the form of a patriotic publisher and aviation enthusiast named Bernarr A. Macfadden.
www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0910song/
"The U.S. Air Force" is the official song of the United States Air Force, adopted in the late 1940s, and is often referred to as "Wild Blue Yonder".
Jul 20, 2023 · The US Air Force Song, also known as “Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder,” is a powerful symbol of the Air Force’s heritage and culture. Written by Robert Crawford in 1939, this poetic anthem embodies sacrifice, dedication, and unity among all branches of the military.
The U.S. Air Force Song 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 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!) Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force ...
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 'er the gun (give 'er the gun now!) Down we dive spouting our flame from under Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame, hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
- The Legendary Irving Berlin Submitted An Entry
- Crawford Himself First Debuted It
- It Has Evolved Along with The Air Force
- It Made “Yonder” Happen
- It Went to The Moon on Apollo 15
- It Was A Helluva Rebel
Patriotic composer and lyricist Irving Berlin submitted an entry after flying in a B-1B bomber for creative inspiration. His wasn’t selected, but his work was later pieced into Moss Hart’s Broadway show “Winged Victory,” which helped raise funds for the Army Emergency Relief Fund during World War II.
The song was first introduced at the Cleveland Air Races on Sept. 2, 1939, and was performed by Crawford himself.
The U.S. Air Force wouldn’t become its own branch until 1947. At that time, “U.S Air Force” replaced “Army Air Corps” in the lyrics. You can see the full lyrics with original changes below.
Crawford’s use of the word “yonder” prompted the Oxford English Dictionary to expand the word’s definitionto include “the far and trackless distance.”
Air Force Colonel David R. Scott and Lieutenant Colonel James B. Irwin carried the original first page of Crawford’s score to the moon on July 30, 1971.
For original radio and television versions, the scandalous use of“helluva” was stricken and “terrible” was substituted instead. SAGEmovieproductions| YouTube Here are the original and current lyrics.The words in brackets are shouted with gusto and the italicized words replace the parenthesized words of the 1939 original: Verse 1 (main melody) Off w...
Sep 1, 2010 · Saved by the Wild Blue Yonder. By David A. Lande. Sept. 1, 2010. In the 1930s, the leadership of the United States Army Air Corps wanted an official service song—one that would inspire, build camaraderie, and forge an identity. The other armed forces had songs: “The Marines’ Hymn,” “Anchors Aweigh,” and “The Army Goes Rolling ...
Jul 24, 2024 · Complete Air Force Song Lyrics. 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 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!) Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame.