High Flight, the poem

USAF Museum of History ^ | 9-10-1941 | Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

[treeclimber]

"High Flight"

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 even 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.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 1941

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High Flight was composed by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr., an American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents, Reverend and Mrs. John Gillespie Magee; his father was an American and his mother was originally a British citizen.

He came to the U.S. in 1939 and earned a scholarship to Yale, but in September 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF and was graduated as a pilot. He was sent to England for combat duty in July 1941.

In August or September 1941, Pilot Officer Magee composed High Flight and sent a copy to his parents. Several months later, on December 11, 1941 his Spitfire collided with another plane over England and Magee, only 19 years of age, crashed to his death.

His remains are buried in the churchyard cemetery at Scopwick, Lincolnshire.

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[treeclimber]

Its a damn beautiful combination of words.....

[Commander8]

I remember that poem. Whenever a TV station would end its broadcast day, they would show an ad in which a fighter plane soaring past American monuments while a voice read this poem, and then the National Anthem would play.

[treeclimber]

That sounds beautiful. Its also the poem President Reagan paraphrased in his 1986 Challenger disaster speech.

"The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."

[Finalapproach29er]

This was included as part of my Dad's funeral.

Today is the 1-year anniversary. Spooky.

[treeclimber]

May God rest his soul

[expatpat]

Thanks for a repost of this fine poem, quoted by Ronald Reagan after the Shuttle disaster.

[PhiKapMom]

Was just going to mention there is an exhibit at the AF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB with this poem but then I went to the link and there it was.

[Uncle Vlad]

In a wonderfully moving speech written by Peggy Noonan. It was just what the country needed.

[upchuck]

Magnificent, significant, relevant poem!

[Young Werther]

Mike Melville accepted his Astronaut Wings and described his flight in SpaceShip!. Indeed, "he touched the Face of God!"

I remember during the halcyon days of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo our astronauts marveled at being closer to God when they climbed those dizzying heights. Russian cosmonauts exclaimed that they saw no God! Ronnie showed 'em!

[Young Werther]

Mike Melville accepted his Astronaut Wings and described his flight in SpaceShip!. Indeed, "he touched the Face of God!"

I remember during the halcyon days of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo our astronauts marveled at being closer to God when they climbed those dizzying heights. Russian cosmonauts exclaimed that they saw no God! Ronnie showed 'em!

[Young Werther]

Mike Melville accepted his Astronaut Wings and described his flight in SpaceShip!. Indeed, "he touched the Face of God!"

I remember during the halcyon days of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo our astronauts marveled at being closer to God when they climbed those dizzying heights. Russian cosmonauts exclaimed that they saw no God! Ronnie showed 'em!

[Finalapproach29er]

Thanks. I can't help but think he's visiting me today. Can't believe I saw that poem today.

[RAY]

I never cease to marvel at these words, put together by a 19 year old in 1941. I loved flying!

[NewMexLurker]

I also remember this poem and the fighter plane clip at the close of the TV broadcast day. Then the National Anthem and then one of those wierd test patterns. Boy, that was a long time ago - 35 or 40 years probably.

[shadowman99]

.

[lawgirl]

Russell Crowe Ping. 10 points if you can name the movie in which he recited part of this poem. ;-)

[luckymom]

It was at my Father's funeral as well- 10 years ago. I know he has touched the face of God.

[arly]

USAF ping

[mystery-ak]

Im an USAF brat...I know this poem...but I have to guess about what movie...A Beautiful Mind?.........btw..hows the RC Gladiator website...are they still up and running?