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Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At ‘em now, Give 'em the gun! give em the gun! 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! (Verse II)
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.
In the summer of 1939, while flying from his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Trenton, New Jersey, Robert M. Crawford started to “hum something” that did not sound like anything already in his repertoire. “Off we go into the wild blue yonder,” Crawford began singing on G, ending on C.
May 29, 2020 · The U.S. Air Force Lyrics: Off we go into the wild blue yonder, / Climbing high into the sun; / Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, / At 'em now, give 'em the gun!
- 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...
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force! Zoom! Off we go into the wild sky yonder, Keep the wings level and true; If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!) Flying men, guarding the nation's border, We'll be there, followed by more! In echelon we carry on. Hey!
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! / Down we dive, spouting our flame.
