I still get the chills when I see this and hear this poem. To be alive then and still be here now in 2024 means that they haven't gotten me yet. Still here, still me. My soul is intact.
Teaching English and thus poetry, I LOVE Highflight! This poem has one of the best versions of painting with words! Its imagery, personification and alliteration captivate the imagination! When you read the story behind it all of John Magee, that captures the heart! When you listen to THIS version of the poem /video marriage, complete with William Conrad's dramatic reading, I am catapulted into the cockpit as pilot...my heart sings!
When I lived in Austin Texas in the 1980's, this is what KXAS would show to end their programming day...I always waited for it...because I was in the Air Force, stationed at Bergstrom AFB, TX, next to Austin...
Moved to Austin in 88. Went Crocket then Westwood High. I would watch in Harker Heights, Tx. at the same time till we move to Austin. Folks moved from Anderson Mill to Liberty Hill 20yrs ago. Me, I am a globe trotter, I live & work in Kuwait. Hook'em Horns.
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 nor 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
1) track at 0:00 - KPM Library piece called "Trucking Company" 2) track at 2:12 - KPM Library piece called "Dawn Of Aquarius"- both by the great Keith Mansfield.
The author, John Magee Jr., died in an air-to-air collision on a practice mission days after this was written. His father, John Magee, is a hero in China for documenting the rape of Nanjing before the beginning of WWII. Without Jon MaGee's work in photographing the carnage and torture of the Chines at the hands of the Japanese soldiers, the world may have never known he vicious and brutal the Japanese were. When the Chinese have a remembrance ceremony, they invite John Magee's decedents to attend. John Jr went to school in China for some of the time that his father was a missionary there, buy John Sr could see that the Japanese expansion threatened China and sent Jr. to live with his mother in England. This is a history that few Americans know, but the MaGee name is revered in China.
I think it depends what you grew up with. For me this reminds me of a kid on Saturday morning just before Cartoons started, so the build up to the flight actually worked. I also love the music they used for the actual flight, it felt like a bird flying in the sky all peaceful and relaxing. The earlier versions seemed to go with a more marching band patriotic sound.
I still get the chills when I see this and hear this poem. To be alive then and still be here now in 2024 means that they haven't gotten me yet. Still here, still me. My soul is intact.
I have not seen this since the 70’s. Such a joy to see it again. (: thank you very much
Thanks for uploading this! A little girl used to watch this and dream of being a fighter pilot back in the day. :-)
This used to be the sign off for the CBS affiliate in Washington DC when I was a kid. It was the first poem by heart 😊
William Conrad, ruled ❤❤❤❤
Teaching English and thus poetry, I LOVE Highflight! This poem has one of the best versions of painting with words! Its imagery, personification and alliteration captivate the imagination! When you read the story behind it all of John Magee, that captures the heart! When you listen to THIS version of the poem /video marriage, complete with William Conrad's dramatic reading, I am catapulted into the cockpit as pilot...my heart sings!
When I lived in Austin Texas in the 1980's, this is what KXAS would show to end their programming day...I always waited for it...because I was in the Air Force, stationed at Bergstrom AFB, TX, next to Austin...
Moved to Austin in 88. Went Crocket then Westwood High.
I would watch in Harker Heights, Tx. at the same time till we move to Austin.
Folks moved from Anderson Mill to Liberty Hill 20yrs ago.
Me, I am a globe trotter, I live & work in Kuwait.
Hook'em Horns.
I see this and feel like I’m supposed to be in bed before my parents catch me up this late watching tv. Lol!
thanks for posting this complete version of "High Flight." much appreciated showing USAF's behind the scenes parts in getting a jet off the ground.
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 nor 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
John Denver put music to those words and it was absolutely beautiful!
1) track at 0:00 - KPM Library piece called "Trucking Company" 2) track at 2:12 - KPM Library piece called "Dawn Of Aquarius"- both by the great Keith Mansfield.
THANKS! I've been trying to ID these for a long time.
Yes, NFL films used this track and other stuff from him for years.
The author, John Magee Jr., died in an air-to-air collision on a practice mission days after this was written. His father, John Magee, is a hero in China for documenting the rape of Nanjing before the beginning of WWII. Without Jon MaGee's work in photographing the carnage and torture of the Chines at the hands of the Japanese soldiers, the world may have never known he vicious and brutal the Japanese were. When the Chinese have a remembrance ceremony, they invite John Magee's decedents to attend. John Jr went to school in China for some of the time that his father was a missionary there, buy John Sr could see that the Japanese expansion threatened China and sent Jr. to live with his mother in England. This is a history that few Americans know, but the MaGee name is revered in China.
This is the reason I joined.
That poem pretty much says it .....I'm no fighter pilot but that's the way I would feel if I were one
Jessica Cox was born without arms, and is a pilot. YOU can't learn to fly any younger, so you might as well do it now.
The best is still the 1960s version with the F-104. I flew F-4s, but always envied the F-104 drivers!
My Grandpa flew F104. Col. Homer C. Boles.
This more modern version is not as good as the 1970s High Flight or even the 1960s which were done better.
I prefer this one. It is complete with no editing or missing parts.
Absolutely Gentlemen. This is the best version, period,
I prefer this version , grew up with this. I would of been 9 years old. I remember it would raise the hair on my neck as a kid.
I think it depends what you grew up with. For me this reminds me of a kid on Saturday morning just before Cartoons started, so the build up to the flight actually worked. I also love the music they used for the actual flight, it felt like a bird flying in the sky all peaceful and relaxing. The earlier versions seemed to go with a more marching band patriotic sound.
the first bit of sound sounded like LIQUID
Used to like this but life is too depressing now
Messed this up with the cheese music
Matt Dillon.