crawford

The US Army Air Corps Song

and the composer

Robert M. Crawford

Provided by the USAF Heritage of America Band

(Click on any of The USAAF patches and listen to the song)

History of The U.S. Air Force Song

In 1938, Liberty magazine sponsored a contest for a spirited, enduring musical composition to become the official Army Air Cops song. Of 757 scores submitted, Robert Crawford’s was selected by a committee of Air Force wives. The song was officially introduced at the Cleveland Air Races on September 2, 1939. Fittingly, Crawford sang in its first public performance.

The first page of the score, which Crawford submitted to the selection committee in July 1939, was carried to the surface of the moon on July 30, 1971 aboard the Apollo 15 “Falcon” lunar module by Colonel David R. Scott and Lieutenant Colonel James B. Irwin. Interestingly, at the moment the “Falcon” blasted off the surface of the moon with Scott and Irwin on board, a rendition of the “Air Force Song” was broadcast to the world by Major Alfred M. Worden, who had a tape recorder aboard the “Endeavor” command module which was in orbit around the moon. Scott, Irwin and Worden comprised the first and only “All-Air Force” Apollo crew and arranged to take the page of sheet music with them as a tribute to Crawford and the United States Air Force.

Bridge Section: Toast to the Host

A Toast to the Host originally is a part of the original Air Force Song. Many times this is sung as a separate piece. This is the verse which commemorates those who have fallen in the name of our service and our great country. This is the reason for the difference in melody and the somber tone. We are recalling those heroes of the past in our forging of the future.

Composer: Robert Crawford

Robert MacArthur Crawford was born on July 27, 1899 in Dawson City, Alaska. He spent his childhood in Fairbanks. In 1921, he enrolled in Princeton University, New Jersey where his main interest was music. Following graduation in 1925, he studied voice in France and upon returning to the United States, he received a graduate fellowship at New York’s prestigious Julliard School of Music. His musical interest continued to expand giving concerts at such places as Carnegie Hall and New York’s illustrious Saint Thomas Church. Because of the scope of his travels, Crawford, an accomplished pilot, purchased an airplane to fly to engagements; Time magazine referred to him as the “Flying Baritone.”

When the United States entered World War II, Crawford became a pilot in the Air Transport Command. He reverted to inactive status in 1946 and returned to music. On March 12, 1961 he passed away in New York City. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve.

“Crawford Hall” Home of the USAF Heritage of America Band

In October 1978, “Crawford Hall” at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, with studio, practice, and administrative facilities, became home to the USAF Heritage of America Band. Beginning in October 1992, this facility and the adjacent building were renovated to become one of the finest facilities for Air Force bands in the world. The building was rededicated December 8, 1993 to the memory of Robert M. Crawford to recognize the musical legacy of the Air Force’s most famous composer. It is within this hall the USAF Heritage of America Band’s performing units prepare for more than 450 annual performances in support of ceremonies, protocol functions, military parades, esprit de corps, recruiting, and Air Force community relations programs.

The Original USAAC Song (1939)

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder
At’em boys, giv’er the gun!
Down we dive spouting our flaming from under
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame
Nothing’ll stop the Army Air Corps!

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder
Sent it high into the blue
Hands of men blasted the world asunder,
How they lived God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings ever to soar.
With scout before and bomber galore,
Nothing can stop the Army Air Corps!

Here’s a toast to the host of those who
Love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send this message
of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old
Then down we roar to score the rainbow’s
pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast
The Army Air Corps!

Off we go into the wild sky yonder
Keep the wing level and true
If you’d live to be a gray haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue
Flying men, guarding our nation’s borders
We’ll be there followed by more
In echelon, we carry on
Nothing can stop the Army Air Corps!

The Reviced US Army Air Force Song (WWII)

The Revised USAF Song (today)

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