If you’ve ever been to a Philadelphia Eagles game, you know that the moment a touchdown is scored, the entire stadium turns into one giant, green-clad choir. But the Philly sports anthem we all know and love, “Fly, Eagles Fly,” actually has a pretty surprising history that involves a rival city, a massive marching band, and a 30-year “hibernation”.
Here is the history of the beloved “Fly Eagles Fly!“ fight song, plus lyrics and sheet music.
The 1950s Origins of “Fly Eagles Fly” Fight Song
The song was originally composed back in the 1950s by Charles Borrelli and Roger Courtland. Back then, it wasn’t even called “Fly, Eagles Fly”, and its official title was “The Eagles’ Victory Song.” The lyrics were actually “Fight, Eagles, Fight!“ with no mention of flying at all.
When Jerry Wolman, a native of Washington D.C., bought the Eagles in 1963, he brought the song with him to the games because he enjoyed the tradition of fight songs in his hometown. “Fight, Eagles Fight” was originally designed to be Philadelphia’s answer to Washington’s fight song, “Hail to the Redskins.”
Wolman even hired a high school music teacher, Arlen R. Saylor Sr., to create a 200-member marching band called “The Sound of Brass” to play the new fight song. In other words, Jerry came to Philadelphia with optimism about sports and winning, which is dangerous.
Eagles No Fly Zone: The Sound of Brass and Agony of Defeat
Unfortunately, the Eagles were a terrible football team in the 60s. In fact, they never posted a winning record during Wolman’s entire 6-year tenure. As you can imagine, bad teams and victory songs are not a good match.
The losses piled up, and eventually Wolman faced bankruptcy and was forced to sell the Eagles.
With the change in ownership, the musical project was abruptly ended, and both the Sound of Brass and the Eagles’ fight song vanished from the stadium for nearly 30 years.
The Revival of “Fly, Eagles Fly” Song
The song didn’t make its comeback until 1997, thanks to a guy named Bob Mansure, who asked the team if he could start a small pep band to play in the parking lot for fans. He dug the old Eagles’ “Victory Song” out of the archives, but there was a major problem: the original version was over five minutes long.
Unfortunately, Eagles fans are not known for their attention spans.
So, Mansure and his bandmate Brian Saunders performed some musical surgery on the original victory song, trimming it down to a snappy 33 seconds and changing “Fight” to “Fly” to make it more modern.
They also tacked on that iconic “E-A-G-L-E-S” chant at the end, which would eventually become a tribal rally for the entire city and suburbs of Philadelphia. But first, the Eagles brass needed fans to learn the song lyrics and embrace it. So, the “Learn your fight song” campaign was born.
Eagles “Learn Your Fight Song” Campaign:
The “Learn Your Fight Song” campaign was a huge success, though it took a little bit of time for the anthem to truly take root. While the sources describe the new version as an instant hit with the fans, it didn’t become the stadium-wide roar we know today overnight.
The “Learn Your Fight Song” campaign ran through the Eagles’ 1997 and 1998 seasons specifically because so many fans were initially unfamiliar with the words after the song’s 30-year absence.
To help the Philly faithful along, owner Jeffrey Lurie started displaying the lyrics on the Jumbotron so the crowd could sing along during games.
Once fans got the hang of it, the reaction was massive:
- Fly Eagles Fly was played constantly before games and after every single touchdown.
- Fly Eagles Fly quickly evolved into a “bird call” for the fan base, often started by a single fan shouting the letter “E!” before the rest of the crowd joins in for the full Eagles chant.
- By the time the team reached the Super Bowl in early 2005, the lyrics were etched in the minds of the entire fan base.
- Luckily, the Eagles’ fight song is simple enough that you can still sing the lyrics after a few Yeunglings!
“E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!”
Today, the reaction has moved far beyond a simple campaign; Fly Eagles Fly is now a defining anthem that fans belt out in “one shared voice” not just at home, but at road games, parades, tailgates, bars, concerts, and even non-football events!
Fly, Coldplay Fly: The song has become so legendary that even Coldplay performed a cover of Fly Eagles Fly when they played at Lincoln Financial Field in 2002!
Fly, Eagles Fly Fight Song Lyrics
Fly, Eagles, Fly,
On the road to victory.
(Fight, Fight, Fight!)
Fight, Eagles, Fight,
Score a touchdown 1-2-3.
(1-2-3!)
Hit ‘em low,
Hit ‘em high,
And watch our Eagles fight!
Fly Eagles Fly,
On the road to victory.
E-A-G-L-E-S!
Eagles!
OK, got it? Now, feel free to join along and sing Fly Eagles Fly at the next Eagles game. Or, a game of any sort… or, just chant, “E-A-G-L-E-S!” at any large gathering, sporting event, or bar (church?) in Philadelphia!
Fly Eagles Fly: Printable Sheet Music
Need free Printable Fly Eagles Fly sheet music so that you can print and play it yourself? Here you go: Fly Eagles Fly Sheet Music (PDF)
Meme: Eagles Fan Runs into Pole
The Eagles’ fight song went viral for the wrong reasons back in 2018 when an overzealous fanatic led SEPTA train passengers in an Eagles chant just before running full-speed into a pole.
E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!… Dong!!
Scary moment, but luckily, he was OK. Although, how do you actually define “OK” when evaluating an Eagles fan, haha!
Fly Eagles Fly, Forever!
Today, what began as a forgotten five-minute relic from the 1950s has transformed into the defining anthem of Philadelphia sports. Whether it’s the roar of a sellout crowd at Lincoln Financial Field after a touchdown or a spontaneous “bird call” started by a single fan at a road game, “Fly, Eagles Fly” is the sound of a city united.
Fly Eagles Fly is more than just a 33-second song; it’s a shared tradition and rallying cry for the entire city and suburbs of Philadelphia.
In fact, don’t be surprised to hear thousands of Eagles fans chanting “E-A-G-L-E-S!” at Philadelphia road games of all sports, not just football!
Thanks for stopping by Pretty Sweet, and let’s go Birds! E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!