Of all the stirring stories told,
Of ships that fly, and pilots bold,
There's one that seems to stand above
And still today, the one I love.
First "Siskins" dared, wings joined by rope
Their pilots flew on guts and hope.
Then "Sabres" formed the "Golden Hawks"
Till came the "Harvards", "Goldilocks"
They tried in groups and then in pairs
When last was struck the "Centennaires"
So proud they flew that final team
Until was born the flying dream.
At first a string of twinkling lights
Rose skyward streaming plumes of white
No one before had seen this view,
Dear Lord it seemed a crowded blue.
First one, then two, and then came three
Now four, now five, now six, oh me!
And then came seven, eight and nine
I'd never seen a sight so fine.
Down and down I watched them break,
Inside I prayed there's no mistake,
Just then above me backed by blue
A diamond formed as if on cue.
And soon the air was filled with song,
As "Snowbirds" flew where they belong
And all because of someone's dream,
To give our land a flying team.
Then as the Tutors filled the skies
I watched as hundreds wiped their eyes,
It seemed as though from one display
A nation raised it's head that day.
Around me thousands glowed with pride
A people standing side by side,
Then as we watched a view sublime
Our country's finest passed in line.
That day beneath a magic sky,
The tears began to fill my eyes
For as I gazed above in awe
An airborne flag was what I saw.
And sadly some did fall from space
But then another filled his place,
Because a legend does not die,
And that's the reason "Snowbirds" fly.
by Patrick J. Phillips
