The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #108354   Message #2394282
Posted By: Genie
21-Jul-08 - 12:19 PM
Thread Name: Songs about airplanes, aeroplanes, air travel
Subject: Sky Pilot
This song isn't literally about an airplane pilot, but the imagery is there.

SKY PILOT
(John Weider/Danny McCulloch/ Eric Burdon/Vic Briggs/Barry Jenkins)
(Recorded by Eric Burden & The Animals; Album:  The Twain Shall Meet)

He blesses the boys as they stand in line,
The smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shine.
He's there to help them all that he can,
To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man.
Sky pilot, Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

He smiles at the young soldiers,
Tells them it's all right.
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight.
Soon there'll be blood and many will die,
Mothers and fathers back home, they will cry.
Sky pilot, Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile,
The order is given, they move down the line,
But he's still behind and he'll meditate,
But it won't stop the bleeding or ease the hate.
As the young men move out into the battle zone
He feels good; with God you're never alone.
He feels tired and he lays on his bed,
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said.
Sky pilot, Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

You're soldiers of God, you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands,
May God give you strength,
Do your job real well.
If it all was worth it
Only time it will tell.

In the morning they return
With tears in their eyes.
The stench of death drifts up to the skies.
A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot,
Remembers the words "Thou shalt not kill."
Sky pilot, Sky pilot,
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky.