HIGH FLIGHT

John Gillespie Magee

 

Solo 1:       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—

 

All:             Wheeled and soared and swung

                   High in the sunlit silence.

Solo 1:       Hov’ring there,

                   I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung

                   My eager craft through footless halls of air.

All:             Up, up the long delirious, burning blue

                   He’s topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

                   Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

Solo 1:       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.