Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer

Subject: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From:
Date: 25 May 98 - 09:30 PM

does anybody have the words to the above song...it was very popular during the second world war and has to do with the battle in the air and the airplane limping back home on a wing and a prayer

a dear old lady has written to me asking if I could find the words for her...

is there anybody out ther who could oblige....

all the best .........Frank

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Frank Maher
Date: 25 May 98 - 11:15 PM

Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer, Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer, Though there's one Motor gone,We'll still carry on, We're coming in on a Wing and a Prayer.

What a Show,what a Fight, Yes,We really hit our Target for Tonight, How We Sing as We limp through the Air, Look below,there's Our Field over There, With Our full Crew aboard,and Our trust in the Lord, We're coming in on a Wing and a Prayer

Subject: Lyr Add: COMING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 May 98 - 11:55 PM

Ooops! Looks like Frank got in most of it while I was typing offline. Well, here's my transcription.
-Joe Offer-

COMING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER
(Words by Harold Adamson; music by Jimmie McHugh; Robbins Music Corp./ASCAP; ©1943)
As recorded by The Song Spinners

Comin' in on a wing and a prayer,
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer,
Though there's one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer.

What a show! What a fight!
Yes, we really hit our targets for tonight.
How we sing as we limp through the air!
Look below; there's our field over there.
With our full crew aboard and our trust in the Lord,
We're comin' in on a wing and a prayer.

One of our planes was missin', two hours overdue.
One of our planes was missin' with all its gallant crew.
The radio sets were hummin’; they waited for a word.
Then a voice broke through the hummin’, and this is what they heard:

Comin' in on a wing and a prayer,
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer,
Though there's one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer.

What a show! What a fight!
Yes, we really hit our target for tonight.
How we sing as we limp through the air!
Look below; there's our field over there.
With our full crew aboard and our trust in the Lord,
We're comin' in on a wing and a prayer.

Though there's one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Comin' in on a wing and a prayer,
Wing and a prayer.
^^

Subject: Lyr Add: COMING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER^^
From: AndyG
Date: 26 May 98 - 07:25 AM

I have slightly different words but I don't know their source I'm afraid.

COMING IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER

Over the dim-lit flare path an anxious silence reigns
Scanning the blue horizon our anxious eyes were strained
The radio sets were humming and waiting for a word
When a voice broke through that humming and this is what they heard

Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Though we've one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer.

What a show -
What a fight -
Yes we really hit our target for tonight,
How we sing as we limp through the air,
Look below there's our field over there,
With a full crew on board and our trust in the Lord,
We're coming in on a wing and a prayer.

Listening, watching, hoping, was all that we could do,
Waiting for J for JIMMY and all the gallant crew,
When over our longing vision a dim grey shadow fell,
And like music came the message that told us all was well.

Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Though we've one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer.

What a show -
What a fight -
Yes we really hit our target for tonight,
How we sing as we limp through the air,
Look below there's our field over there,
With a full crew on board and our trust in the Lord,
We're coming in on a wing and a prayer.

AndyG ^^

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: GUEST,nicole387
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:30 PM

who sings this song? you can email me at [e-mail]

i would really appericate it, my mom has been looking for a copy of this song for a long time

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Troll
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:47 PM

I can remember hearing my Mother sing this song during WWII. There was another one that she sang,"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition". I think it was about a Navy chaplin who served as a loader on a gun mount after part of its crew were killed during an air attack in the Pacific.

troll

Subject: Lyr Add: PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 12:03 AM

Hi troll....My Mom knew damn near all of the WWII songs as she was a pianist and single, a Rosie the Riveter, working at a Timken Bearing plant so the parties involved her and a piano and a lot of songs. I had heard the "legend" of the song but finally found the truth which is just as good!! Especially at the early parts of the war, the us needed heroes and wasn't above inventing some, like Colin Kelly. This song however was true, just incorrectly related and the myth wasn't really as good as the truth!

Here ya' go....PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"; was written by Frank Loesser. According to the song a chaplain ("sky pilot") was with some fighting men who were being attacked by an enemy. (Generally given at the time to be the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.) He was asked to say a prayer for the men who were engaged in the firing at the on-coming Japanese planes. The chaplain; the song went on to infer, put down his bible, manned one of the ship's gun turrets and begin firing back, saying, "Praise The Lord and pass the ammunition".

Now; however, there are now facts available setting the story straight.

According to the writer, Jack S. McDowall, through the years the lyrics of the song have generally credited "a chaplain" manning the gun turrets of a ship, while under attack. "This was not true". says, McDowell.

For some time, long after the attack at Pearl Harbor, stories and reports continued to pop-up about the incident, involving a chaplain who was to have uttered the now famous words, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."

These stories eventualy made their way through the servicemen back to the press. The press, as McDowell noted, . . . led some writers erroneously to identify other chaplains as authors of the phrase.

Nonetheless, the real Chaplain, Howell Forgy, aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans; during the Japanese attack, was that Chaplain. He was a Lieutenant (j.g.) on that Sunday morning in December, 1941.

Another Lieutenant who had been in charge of an ammunition line on the USS New Orleans during the attack remembered.

"I heard a voice behind me saying, Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. I turned and saw Chaplain Forgy walking toward me along the line of men. He was patting the men on the back and making that remark to cheer them and keep them going. I know it helped me a lot, too", he said.

Another Lieutenant j.g. said, the men aboard the USS New Orleans would thereafter kid Chaplain Forgy about the role he played whenever they heard the song that had been written. They also encouraged him to set the record straight as to who actually said what. According to that same Lieutenant the Chaplain would decline saying he felt "the episode should remain a legend rather than be associated with any particular person."

Author McDowell said that press reporters were eventually permitted to interview men of the U.S.S. New Orleans involved in the "ammunition" story. Chaplain Forgy's superior officers set up a meeting with some of the press and; at last, the the real story of the wonderful song and the wonderful man who had inspired it was finally confirmed.

The preceeding information was provided by Henry Wristen, President of the U.S.S New Orleans (CA-32) Reunion Association.
"Pearl Harbor: Remembered" Web site thanks him.

The Song


Down went the gunner, a bullet was his fate
Down went the gunner, then the gunners mate
Up jumped the sky pilot, gave the boys a look
And manned the gun himself as he laid aside The Book, shouting
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition and we'll all stay free!


Praise the Lord and swing into position!
Can't afford to sit around and wishin'
Praise the Lord we're all between perdition
and the deep blue sea!


Yes the sky pilot said it
You've got to give him credit
for a son - of - gun - of - a - gunner was he,
Shouting;
Praise the Lord we're on a mighty mission!
All aboard, we're not a - goin' fishin;
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition and we'll all stay free!

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:13 AM

We've got the original sheet music for this in our family. Also, wasn't there a movie of "On a wing and a prayer?" Didn't we discuss that in a thread a few years ago?

Great story, Spaw, thanks!

Did anyone email the query person?

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:46 AM

guest nicole,

There is a recording of it by Ry Cooder on 'Boomer's Story' Reprise CD 7599-26398-2.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:58 AM

I like Joseph Spence's version of it. "What a fight, what a show, di de de de de de de de de de do"

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 02:37 AM

Click here to find a sample of the song from the Joseph Spence recording. I thought I'd find it on more "Greatest Songs of WWII" CD's, but I didn't.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 03:38 AM

I heard Dave Burland doing this in the seventies. I think I have also heard of - rather than heard - an Andrews Sisters versions. Can anyone put me right on this? It's a great song - one which is deservedly becoming traditional.

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 04:12 AM

I was 10 when WW2 started, my brother was 5 & my sister 3. Tires were scarce, since you couldn't get rubber, and a year or two into the war we had a tire blow our on the way into town -- we lived 5 miles out in the country.

We'd already used up our spare, so my father just peeled the tire off and we jangled into town on the rim. I don't know which one of us kids started singing "Coming in on a rim and a spare," but we sang the rest of the way to town, and thought we were terribly clever. ("Though there's one ti-er gone, we can still carry on...")

First time I've thought of that for years.

Clint

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 04:31 AM

Derek Brimstone does a good version.

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 08:23 AM

Great story Clint!!! Thanks!

Spaw

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 09:21 AM

I have a version sung by Vera Lynne - taped many years ago off a mono LP my parents owned. The cover showed her with a background of servicemen, probably at one of her wartime concerts.

I also have a CD of The Great War Songs with a version by The Four Vagabonds, dunno who they are, tho, but the other artists are British.

sandra

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: Giac
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 10:31 AM

**LOL** Clint!

Somewhere, I have Frank Sinatra's version on vinyl or cassette. Obviously, it's been a long time since I've played it. Ahh, a good project for Sunday afternoon -- find the recording.

~:o) Mary

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 12:00 PM

By gum, gooly, gooly didn't think you had it in ya Catspaw!

Well done; except for the ocarena-schtick this is the only musical posting I can recall you making...and its source is sort of acknowledged...how about the URL?

Sincerely, Gargoyle

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:14 PM

Obviously garg old chum, you really don't read the threads much because it isn't my first, but thanks anyway.

The URL is http://my.execpc.com/~dschaaf/praise.html

Spaw

Subject: RE: coming in on a wing and a prayer
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:40 PM

There is a recording by the Golden Gate Quartet available on Document Records DOCD-5475- The Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order Volume 4. The disk also includes four other V-disk recordings from round about the same time, all recorded in New york on March 5 and May 15 1943. It is a great version of a great song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: GUEST,Lindsay
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 08:28 PM

I've got a recording of this, on an 8-album set of "Hits of World War II" can tape it if required

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 08:29 PM

I'm assuming (!) that the Ry Cooder version is the one the tune is requested for.....or, at least that set of words. I found at least 2 other songs with the same title. Please confirm before I drive myself crazy...or, someone with the recording, an ear and ABC skills please post it? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 08:56 PM

Was Rye Cooder alive in 1943?
All the pop singers of the 1940s recorded it.
Surprised Joe hasn't posted the midi; he posted the lyrics way back in Nineteen hundred and ninety-eight. Don't think I have sung it since 1945. Should be in the DT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 11:16 PM

One of the few songs my dad used to sing.

He worked on the engines of Typhoons, Lancasters and other aircraft in WWII.

On airfields they shared with American squadrons the English ground crews often had a brew up and a sing song with the 'Darkies' in the US ground staff, particularly when the weather was bad as most of the huts on the American Dispersal were Whites Only.

Anne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 11:22 PM

Still no definitve answer....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: GUEST,BFG
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 05:10 PM

Cracking version by Muckram Wakes on their "Warbles, Jangles & Reeds" (probably out of print now but I've got an almost mint vynil if anybody wants a copy

Loadsalove
BFG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 11:19 PM

allmusic lists 45 recordings of COMIN' IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER, and six more where the title is spelled COMING.... They are all attributed to Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh. There are sound samples available for nearly all of them.

The performers are Ambrose & His Orchestra (with vocal by Anne Shelton), Gene Autry, Eddie Cantor, Ry Cooder, Bing Crosby, Anita Ellis, The Four Vagabonds, Michael Gets, The Golden Gate Quartet, Phil Heywood, Eli Radish, Lisa Richard, Raymond Scott & His Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Mews Small, The Song Spinners, Joseph Spence, and Bea Wain.

EMI Music Publishing says the one by The Song Spinners was the biggest hit, reaching #1 in the US in 1943; a recording by Willie Kelly & His Orchestra made #2 the same year.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 11:51 AM

One of our planes was missing two hours over due,
One of planes was missing with all its gallant crew.
The radio sets were humming,
They waited for the word then a voice broke through the humming,
And this is what they heard.
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Though we've one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer.
What a show -
What a fight -
Yes we really hit our target for tonight,
How we sing as we limp through the air,
Look below there's our field over there,
With a full crew on board and our trust in the Lord,
We're coming in on a wing and a prayer.
Listening, watching, hoping, was all that we could do,
Waiting for J for JIMMY and all the gallant crew,
When over our longing vision a dim grey shadow fell,
And like music came the message that told us all was well.
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer,
Though we've one motor gone, we can still carry on,
Coming in on a wing and a prayer.
What a show -
What a fight -
Yes we really hit our target for tonight,
How we sing as we limp through the air,
Look below there's our field over there,
With a full crew on board and our trust in the Lord,
We're coming in on a wing and a prayer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 12:04 PM

Guest, thats the introduction I remember. Thanks. Don't know if it was in the sheet music, which I haven't seen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Genie
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 02:26 PM

Nice video for the song: Anne Shelton: "Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer"

Bing Crosby: "Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer"

It may be minor, but in the recordings I've heard it's definitely "There's our field," not "... a field" and "with our full crew aboard," not "... a full crew ... ".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Comin In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Genie
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 02:31 PM

Kate Smith's rendition of "Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer" is, I think, much more poignant and stirring than Bing's.   She conveys the story with much more feeling.
She also changes the title line, in one place, to "Coming home on a wing and a prayer," which adds to the sense of joy and relief at the flyers' safe homecoming.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer
From: Rumncoke
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 07:13 PM

There were additional verses - presumably made up waiting for the planes to return

the RFF is dead
The hydraulics show three red
Coming in on a wing an a prayer


RFF is 'recognition friend or foe' - a signal sent out by our planes which was supposed to stop friendly fire accidents,

When the undercarriage went down, pushed by hydraulic rams, there were three lights to show that they were fully down - three green lights good - three red lights - God help us all.