The Airforce Song
The Music
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.
the status of their applications once the package has gone before the scholarship board. Return the enclosed letter of intent with signature to receive your scholarship."Crawford Hall"
Home of the ACC Heritage of America Band
In October 1978, "Crawford Hall" with studio, practice, and administrative facilities became the home for the 564th Air Force Band at Langley. 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 ACC 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 Air Force Song
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 now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
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! (God only knew then!)
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
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 grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!