Any suggestions for tribute music for a long time glider pilot and PFA member?
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Any suggestions for tribute music for a long time glider pilot and PFA member?
I just wondered if anyone could help with the choice of appropriate music for the funeral service of my father - a keen glider and power pilot, also a member of the PFA.
We did wonder if the kind of music that accompanies glider aerobatic displays would be the right thing.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received
nrh
We did wonder if the kind of music that accompanies glider aerobatic displays would be the right thing.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received
nrh
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Try to chase down that famous poem by the Canadian pilot in WW2 who penned Hight Flight (John Magee Gillespie Juniour?).
John Denver put it to music and it is a very nice song and tribute to any aviator.
Gliderboy
It is off his "it's about Time " album from 1983 and is called The higher we fly"
John Denver put it to music and it is a very nice song and tribute to any aviator.
Gliderboy
It is off his "it's about Time " album from 1983 and is called The higher we fly"
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Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the sky on laughter silvered wings
Sunward Ive climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things
Ive wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence
Hovering there Ive chased the shouting winds aloft
And flung my eager craft through footless halls of air
The higher we fly, the farther we go
The closer we are to each other
The darker the night, the brighter the star
In peace go my sisters and brothers
Up, up, the long delirious burning blue
Ive topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew
And while with silent lifting mind I trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand and touched the face of God
The higher we fly, the farther we go
The closer we are to each other
The darker the night, the brighter the star
In peace go my sisters and brothers
Words by Gillespie Magee Jr., John Denver and Joe Henry
Music by Lee Holdridge
Adopted from the Poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
And danced the sky on laughter silvered wings
Sunward Ive climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things
Ive wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence
Hovering there Ive chased the shouting winds aloft
And flung my eager craft through footless halls of air
The higher we fly, the farther we go
The closer we are to each other
The darker the night, the brighter the star
In peace go my sisters and brothers
Up, up, the long delirious burning blue
Ive topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew
And while with silent lifting mind I trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand and touched the face of God
The higher we fly, the farther we go
The closer we are to each other
The darker the night, the brighter the star
In peace go my sisters and brothers
Words by Gillespie Magee Jr., John Denver and Joe Henry
Music by Lee Holdridge
Adopted from the Poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
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High Flight? Hate it, total cliche. Utter trash and plagerized to boot.
However, John Denver is a good start. Try the Eagle and the Hawk. Here are the lyrics.
"I am the eagle, I live in high country,
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky.
I am the hawk and theres blood on my feathers,
But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.
And all of those who see me and all who believe in me,
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly.
Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops.
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars.
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future,
And all that we can be, not just what we are."
Beautifully orchestrated too. It'll be played at my funeral!
However, John Denver is a good start. Try the Eagle and the Hawk. Here are the lyrics.
"I am the eagle, I live in high country,
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky.
I am the hawk and theres blood on my feathers,
But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.
And all of those who see me and all who believe in me,
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly.
Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops.
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars.
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future,
And all that we can be, not just what we are."
Beautifully orchestrated too. It'll be played at my funeral!
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Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I
Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I
Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
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Albatross - Fleetwood Mac.
An instrumental piece, & of course the bird glides for most of its life.
Oh for the Wings of a Dove (The classical music, not Madness, but sorry brain is slow this AM & can't recall the composer).
Soft landings.
An instrumental piece, & of course the bird glides for most of its life.
Oh for the Wings of a Dove (The classical music, not Madness, but sorry brain is slow this AM & can't recall the composer).
Soft landings.
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There was a great piece of music which accompanied the glider aerobatic sequence 'flown' by Steve McQueen in the original film version of The Thomas Crown Affair: 'Windmills of my Mind - by Noel Harrison.'
Safe flying
Cusco
Safe flying
Cusco
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hi nrh....
condolances on the loss of you dad.
you did'nt yet answer the post...what type of music did he like...classical...easy listening..or ??
anyway it might be a bit short for what you want...but how about ...''up where we belong ''..from the movie ' an officer and a gentleman' ..i forget who did it in the movie ..was it joe cocker..? ( forgive if the spelling is wrong.) and jennifer..??
. if not anyway he did a nice version of it...but i feel he might have done the movie.
would certainly be a moving tribute i am sure...
gear up.
the dean.
condolances on the loss of you dad.
you did'nt yet answer the post...what type of music did he like...classical...easy listening..or ??
anyway it might be a bit short for what you want...but how about ...''up where we belong ''..from the movie ' an officer and a gentleman' ..i forget who did it in the movie ..was it joe cocker..? ( forgive if the spelling is wrong.) and jennifer..??
. if not anyway he did a nice version of it...but i feel he might have done the movie.
would certainly be a moving tribute i am sure...
gear up.
the dean.
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"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep"
Set to music from a poem by unknown author and beautifully sung
by Kathrin Jenkins on her "Living a Dream " album
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
Do not stand at my grave and cry ,
I am not there - I did not die.
I am the sunliht on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starts that shime at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry .
I am not there - I did not die.
Set to music from a poem by unknown author and beautifully sung
by Kathrin Jenkins on her "Living a Dream " album
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
Do not stand at my grave and cry ,
I am not there - I did not die.
I am the sunliht on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starts that shime at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry .
I am not there - I did not die.
Has to be 'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines!'
Most definitely not the hackneyed, cliche of that High Flight thing - which I too hate with a vengeance!
Most definitely not the hackneyed, cliche of that High Flight thing - which I too hate with a vengeance!
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my dad's best friend who passed away some time ago had the theme to 633 squadron, raised a smile for many of us, which is often the best thing you can hope for at a funeral.
Thread Starter
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Thank You
Thank you so much everyone for these inspirational words and suggestions.
In answer to you question Kevmusic: classical and easy listening - apologies for my not responding sooner.
My father started his career with A V Roe as an apprentice at the time when the Vulcan was being built. His true passion was flight and he had a long and fulfilling career with the company (under it's subsequent names of course, how unusual to have one employer in a lifetime these days) as a Design Engineer, particularly working on Nimrod (thanks for the Elgar suggestion Cusco), and 125 Business Jet special variants.
His final project before retirement was working with McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach CA. By this time he was a PPL and Glider Pilot and had many memorable flying and soaring experiences in the US.
A long and happy retirement flying RC models (when his medical finally expired!) sadly did not materialise due to Alzheimer's Disease.
On the approach into Woodford sometime in the late 80's in the Grob 109B
he shared ownership of.
Morane Saulnier Paris - Cranfield Student Days. Dad (middle) would always
quote the shockingly few minutes it would be between brakes off at
Cranfield to 10,000 feet over the Wash
One of the first Nimrod aircraft at Woodford
John Harrison 1937-2007
In answer to you question Kevmusic: classical and easy listening - apologies for my not responding sooner.
My father started his career with A V Roe as an apprentice at the time when the Vulcan was being built. His true passion was flight and he had a long and fulfilling career with the company (under it's subsequent names of course, how unusual to have one employer in a lifetime these days) as a Design Engineer, particularly working on Nimrod (thanks for the Elgar suggestion Cusco), and 125 Business Jet special variants.
His final project before retirement was working with McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach CA. By this time he was a PPL and Glider Pilot and had many memorable flying and soaring experiences in the US.
A long and happy retirement flying RC models (when his medical finally expired!) sadly did not materialise due to Alzheimer's Disease.
On the approach into Woodford sometime in the late 80's in the Grob 109B
he shared ownership of.
Morane Saulnier Paris - Cranfield Student Days. Dad (middle) would always
quote the shockingly few minutes it would be between brakes off at
Cranfield to 10,000 feet over the Wash
One of the first Nimrod aircraft at Woodford
John Harrison 1937-2007
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Some wonderful photos - your Dad looked a fine and characterful gentleman. Cusco's suggestion of Nimrod was particularly apposite and it is a very moving piece.
My Dad died a few years back. He was in the army but didn't talk much about it. Now, my elder brother is keen on aviation (though isn't a pilot) and I became a glider pilot in the 80s after a childhood obsessed with aircraft models and stories. Telling my Dad about my gliding experiences in a pub in 1986, he suddenly blurted out that he was an Army Glider Pilot! Went into Normandy on June 7th. Subsequently showed me his logbook and everything! Never could quite work out why he didn't tell us before, but is flying in the genes, or what?!
Some great suggestions here, nrh, - I couldn't better them. Tell us when your Dad's funeral is and we'll all be thinking of you.
Kev.
My Dad died a few years back. He was in the army but didn't talk much about it. Now, my elder brother is keen on aviation (though isn't a pilot) and I became a glider pilot in the 80s after a childhood obsessed with aircraft models and stories. Telling my Dad about my gliding experiences in a pub in 1986, he suddenly blurted out that he was an Army Glider Pilot! Went into Normandy on June 7th. Subsequently showed me his logbook and everything! Never could quite work out why he didn't tell us before, but is flying in the genes, or what?!
Some great suggestions here, nrh, - I couldn't better them. Tell us when your Dad's funeral is and we'll all be thinking of you.
Kev.
Moderator
Sorry about your dad,
For my uncle's funeral a few years back I selected Al Stewart's Flying Sorcery:
With your photographs of Kitty Hawk
And the biplanes on your wall
You were always Amy Johnson
From the time that you were small.
No schoolroom kept you grounded
While your thoughts could get away
You were taking off in Tiger Moths
Your wings against the brush-strokes of the day
Are you there?
On the tarmac with the winter in your hair
By the empty hangar doors you stop and stare
Leave the oil-drums behind you, they won't care
Oh, are you there?
Oh, you wrapped me up in a leather coat
And you took me for a ride
We were drifting with the tail-wind
When the runway came in sight
The clouds came up to gather us
And the cockpit turned to white
When I looked the sky was empty
I suppose you never saw the landing-lights
Are you there?
In your jacket with the grease-stain and the tear
Caught up in the slipstream of dare
The compass roads will guide you anywhere,
Oh, are you there?
The sun comes up on Icarus as the night-birds sail away
And lights the maps and diagrams
That Leonardo makes
You can see Faith, Hope and Charity
As they bank above the fields
You can join the flying circus
You can touch the morning air against your wheels
Are you there?
Do you have a thought for me that you can share?
Oh I never thought you'd take me unawares
Just call me if you ever need repairs
Oh, are you there?
It seemed to be well appreciated by the group...
Regards, Pilot DAR
For my uncle's funeral a few years back I selected Al Stewart's Flying Sorcery:
With your photographs of Kitty Hawk
And the biplanes on your wall
You were always Amy Johnson
From the time that you were small.
No schoolroom kept you grounded
While your thoughts could get away
You were taking off in Tiger Moths
Your wings against the brush-strokes of the day
Are you there?
On the tarmac with the winter in your hair
By the empty hangar doors you stop and stare
Leave the oil-drums behind you, they won't care
Oh, are you there?
Oh, you wrapped me up in a leather coat
And you took me for a ride
We were drifting with the tail-wind
When the runway came in sight
The clouds came up to gather us
And the cockpit turned to white
When I looked the sky was empty
I suppose you never saw the landing-lights
Are you there?
In your jacket with the grease-stain and the tear
Caught up in the slipstream of dare
The compass roads will guide you anywhere,
Oh, are you there?
The sun comes up on Icarus as the night-birds sail away
And lights the maps and diagrams
That Leonardo makes
You can see Faith, Hope and Charity
As they bank above the fields
You can join the flying circus
You can touch the morning air against your wheels
Are you there?
Do you have a thought for me that you can share?
Oh I never thought you'd take me unawares
Just call me if you ever need repairs
Oh, are you there?
It seemed to be well appreciated by the group...
Regards, Pilot DAR