The Army Air Corps

by Robert MacArthur Crawford (1939; rev 1947) [nb: most commonly, only the first verse is performed, except during formal USAAC / USAAF / USAF functions]

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!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. SHOUT!
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 scouts before and bombers galore. SHOUT!
Nothing'll 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 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 men we boast, the Army Air Corps!

Zoom!

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!
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on. SHOUT!
Nothing will stop the Army Air Corps!

The U.S. Air Force

[aka: "The Air Force Song", "Wild Blue Yonder", "Into the Wild Blue Yonder", and "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder"; adopted as the official USAF song on 27 September 1979] [nb: although not the 'fight song' of the Air Force Academy, the third verse ("a toast to the host"), which is sometimes performed independently to commemorate those who've fallen in service, and is sung in a more reverent mood at a different tempo, is the Academy's alma mater]

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!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off on one terrible course!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

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 our wings every resource!
With scouts before and bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

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 men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!

Zoom!

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!
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, ever on course!
In echelon we carry on. Hey!
Nothing will stop the U.S. Air Force!