Sky Pilot
Eric Burdon
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
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'll stay 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.
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
3 fans
Written by: BARRIE ERNEST JENKINS, BARRY JENKINS, DANNY MCCULLOCH, ERIC VICTOR BURDON, JOHNNY WEIDER, VIC BRIGGS
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Origin"Sky Pilot" is a song by "Eric Burdon & The Animals," a British rock band that experienced substantial success in the 1960s.
|
Release Date and AlbumThe song was first released in 1968 as a single and later included in the band's 1968 album called "The Twain Shall Meet."
|
Background"Sky Pilot" was written by Eric Burdon during the peak of the Vietnam War. Hence, it reflects the prevalent anti-war sentiments of the time.
|
Genre ClassificationThe song falls under the genre of psychedelic rock, a genre that emerged in the '60s and is known for its extended solos and complex song structures.
|
Song LengthAt a length of 7 minutes 27 seconds, "Sky Pilot" is significantly longer than most other popular songs from the same era. The British radio version was split into two parts because it was too long to be played in full.
|
Song StructureThe song is divided into two parts. The first part, "Sky Pilot," is about a military chaplain who blesses a body of troops before a battle while questioning the morality of his role. The second part contains sound effects of war, such as gunfire and explosions, along with a bagpipe solo.
|
Bagpipe SoloThe bagpipe solo in "Sky Pilot" is a rendition of "All the Bluebonnets Are Over the Border," a traditional Scottish tune. This contributes to the song's distinct sound.
|
Chart PerformanceDespite its unconventional length, "Sky Pilot" achieved considerable chart success. It reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #7 in the UK Singles Chart.
|
Critical ReceptionThe song was praised for its powerful anti-war message and innovative sound design. However, it was also criticized by some for its explicit depiction of war.
|
LegacyOver the years, "Sky Pilot" has firmly established itself as one of The Animals' most iconic songs. It has been covered by several artists and featured in multiple film and television soundtracks. The song continues to be remembered as a poignant commentary on the Vietnam War.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Sky Pilot Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5822390/Eric+Burdon/Sky+Pilot>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the Sky Pilot Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In