High Flight
Music by Bryan Kesselman
Words by John Gillespie Magee, Jnr. Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air . . . Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew -- And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. Important note on High Flight The words, ‘Where never lark, or ever eagle flew’ are as written by Magee. Several versions of this line exist on-line and in print, but this text has been confirmed by the Manuscript Department of the Library of Congress (USA) who hold the original manuscript. |
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