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Lyr Req: The Greatest Thrill (Ian Walker)

30 May 01 - 12:48 PM (#473108)
Subject: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: Steveie1

Can anyone help with this one. Its a song about the thoughts going through a pilots mind when he dropped bombs on Lybia. Some also say that it might be also the dropping of the big one on Hiroshima. Ive heard it many times in the folk clubs Fife but dont seem to be able to find the real words.

31 May 01 - 11:51 AM (#473637)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: UB Ed

Don't know Steveie, but thought I'd refresh ya since everybody else seems to be talking about cats.

Anybody?

31 May 01 - 03:39 PM (#473823)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE GREATEST THRILL (Ian Walker)
From: GUEST,Pete MacGregor

The Greatest Thrill - Ian Walker
To the tune 'The Shearing's no' for You'

When I heard the engines roar
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I felt a sense of power
Ma bonnie Bairnie o
You were sleeping tight
When I flew into the night
I was looking for a fight
Ma bonnie bairnie o

I was flying high
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I never heard you cry
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I was using all my skill
To search, to find, to kill
It was my life's greatest thrill
Ma bonnie bairnie o

When the targets found their place
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I never saw your face
Ma bonnie bairnie o
But I began to pray
As the bombs they left their bay
Pity you got in their way
Ma bonnie bairnie o

Now I feel a sense of pride
Ma bonnie bairnie o
For God was on our side
Ma bonnie bairnie o
In my Country's Hall of Fame
They'll be writing up my name
You're the loser in this game
Ma bonnie bairnie o

With the rising of the sun
Ma bonnie bairnie o
No more you'll laugh and run
Ma bonnie bairnie o
And you will never know
That your blood it had to flow
To let the windds of freedom blow
Ma bonnie bairnie o

I was flying high
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I never heard you cry
Ma bonnie bairnie o
I was using all my skill
To search, to find, to kill
It was my life's greatest thrill
Ma bonnie bairnie o.

I have the words from Ian's recording on Fellside FE060 Issued in 1987 - I've no idea if it's still available but there are other excellent songs on it - particularly 'Hawks and Eagles'

31 May 01 - 07:40 PM (#474005)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: Susanne (skw)

And the notes:
[1987:] On the evening of 14th April, 1986, American long range fighter bombers set off from Suffolk, England and that night, bombed targets at Tripoli, Libya. Young children were killed in the attack. The Pentagon described the attack as "perfect" claiming that there had been nothing like it in the annals of U.S. military history. One of the pilots, on his return to England, said, "It was the greatest thrill of my life to have been involved". (Notes Ian Walker, 'Flying High')

01 Jun 01 - 08:20 AM (#474335)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: Steveie1

Thanks for the words Pete and also for the notes Suzanne much appreciated.

18 Aug 03 - 08:45 AM (#1003969)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: GUEST,skippy

Thank you all for that, will sing it @ Towersey
Skippy

18 Aug 03 - 05:29 PM (#1004218)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: Susanne (skw)

All the best, skippy!

19 Aug 03 - 11:35 AM (#1004705)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: Strupag

Anyone know what Ian Walker is doing these days.
He used to live in Bo'ness and reguarly toured the Scottish Highlands?

04 Feb 09 - 06:05 PM (#2557391)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flying High - Ian Walker
From: skipy

to answer your question of 2003!
http://www.ianwalkeronline.com/ianwalkerevents.asp

20 Mar 11 - 07:26 PM (#3117829)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Greatest Thrill (Ian Walker)
From: The Fooles Troupe

Refresh ...

20 Mar 11 - 07:45 PM (#3117842)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Greatest Thrill (Ian Walker)
From: Tattie Bogle

Ian's out there performing regularly again after some time away from the scene: both solo and as "the two Ians" with Ian Bruce. Ian W has a new CD just out, which was produced by Ian B, called "Singing the River". See:
http://www.ianwalkeronline.com/index.php/page/music#content_top

31 Aug 11 - 07:23 PM (#3216210)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Greatest Thrill (Ian Walker)
From: skipy

This song is sooo relevant today, not because of the bombing of Libya, but because it has just beem announced that she did not die, she was not injured, they changed her name & she is alive & well. So a new & final verse is needed. So catters write one & Ian decide which one will be added to the song, or not, his choice not ours folks.
Skipy