--- title: "7 Air Force song facts that will make you want to go off into the wild blue yonder" description: "Informally referred to as \"The Air Force Song,\" the composition \"U.S. Air Force\" is a work of lyrical beauty and musical majesty." date: "2021-04-07" modified: "2021-04-07" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/music/7-air-force-song-facts/" categories: - "Air Force" - "Entertainment" - "History" - "Music" --- # 7 Air Force song facts that will make you want to go off into the wild blue yonder ![]() Informally referred to as "The Air Force Song," the composition "U.S. Air Force" is a work of lyrical beauty and musical majesty — and it's the one thing that can melt this cold, dark, veteran heart of mine. --- ![]() *Literally the enthusiasm with which I sing this song. Every time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dana D. Hill)* Here are some fun facts about it: ## 1. It originated because of a competition, per Brig. Gen. Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold's suggestion Liberty magazine sponsored a musical contest for a [spirited composition to become the official Army Air Corps song](). Over 700 scores were submitted, but the judging committee (consisting of military spouses) selected Robert MacArthur Crawford's as the winner. ## 2. The legendary Irving Berlin submitted an entry 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. ### Also read: [The complete hater's guide to the US Air Force]() ![]() *Airpower is sexy and you know it. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)* ## 3. Crawford himself first debuted it The song was first introduced at the Cleveland Air Races on Sept. 2, 1939, and was performed by Crawford himself. ## 4. It has evolved along with the Air Force 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. ## 5. It made "yonder" happen Crawford's use of the word "yonder" [prompted the Oxford English Dictionary to expand the word's definition]() to include "the far and trackless distance." ## 6. It went to the moon on Apollo 15 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. ## 7. It was a helluva rebel For original radio and television versions, the scandalous use of "helluva" was stricken and "terrible" was substituted instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHOq6Sl9u38 [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 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! \[give'er the gun, *hey* (now)!\] Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, off *with* (on) one helleva *roar* (course), We live in fame or go down in flame, hey! Nothing'll stop the *US Air Force* (Army Air Corps) **Verse 2 (main melody)** 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, *hey*! \[God only new, then!\] Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer, gave *us* (our) wings, *ever to soar* (every resource)! With *scouts* (jets) before and *Bombers* (Bombs) galore, Nothing'll stop the *US Air Force* (Army Air Corps) **Verse 3 (bridge)** Here's a toast to the host of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send a 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 the men we boast, the *US Air Force* (Army Air Corps). ZOOM. **Verse 4 (main melody)** Off we go into the wild sky yonder, Keep the wings level and true; If you'd live to be a gray haired wonder, keep the nose out of the blue \[out of the blue, hey!\]. Flying men, guarding our nation's borders, we'll be there *followed by more* (ever on course)! In each echelon, we carry on, Hey! Nothing'll stop the *US Air Force* (Army Air Corps) ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()