You’ve heard the infamous Philadelphia Eagles fight song at every home game and following every score at Lincoln Financial Field since the building opened before the 2003 NFL season. At this point, it seems like it’s been that way forever. However, the popular Eagles fight song, in its current form, has only existed since 1997. Let’s learn more about this Philadelphia sports classic before Philadelphia collectively cranks that decibel up to 11 for their Birds to hear them singing all the way in New Orleans at Super Bowl LIX.
Origin Story – Eagles Victory Song
A tune created in the 1950s by Charles Borrelli and Roger Courtland created the Eagles Victory Song in the 1950s. The original song resembles the song that Eagles fans deliriously shout in unison today. The initial version was over five minutes long, and the song urged the Eagles to fight instead of fly. While it was associated with Philadelphia, it wasn’t until a decade later that the organization fully embraced a version of the song as they attempted to increase the entertainment factor at home games.
In the 1960s, the Eagles tasked a Boyertown High School music teacher with transforming the team’s marching band program. Arlen R. Saylor Sr. had developed a positive reputation with his school’s band, and he expanded the Eagles marching band into The Sound of Brass, an outfit of musicians, dancers, and performers that swelled to over 200 members. “When I took over (the Sound of Brass),” Saylor told the Reading Eagle in 2005. “I did an arrangement for the band, which is basically what you hear (today).”
In 1966, the music teacher used his expertise to arrange the Eagles’ Victory Song into a shortened version that became a staple for the Sound of Brass over the next several seasons. However, a change in ownership abruptly ended the musical project in Philadelphia, and the song disappeared for over thirty years.
“Fly Eagles Fly” Makes Its Grand Debut
An energetic Upper Darby musician, Bob Mansure, created the four-member Eagles Pep Band in 1997 after receiving permission from the team to play music with his band before games. Bandmate Brian Saunders and Mansure revived the team’s classic fight song from three decades of hibernation by shortening and adjusting the arrangement from five minutes to a more fan-friendly 33 seconds. The pair also tacked on the “E-A-G-L-E-S” cheer at the end.
The trimmed version of “Fly Eagles Fly” became an instant hit with fans – but not overnight. Mansure and the Eagles led a “Learn Your Fight Song” campaign during the 1997 and 1998 seasons before the Eagles’ fight song really caught on with fans. Several years later, international recording artist Coldplay played their interpretation of “Fly Eagles Fly” during a concert at the Linc in 2002. By the time the Eagles reached Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, every Eagles fan in Jacksonville had the song etched in their memory.
If you don’t know the lyrics but want to join the fun, don’t worry, we got you. Just, uhh, try to remember to spell the words right when you get your big chance! Now for the lyrics:
Fly, Eagles, Fly!
On The Road To Victory!
Fight, Eagles, Fight!
Score A Touchdown!
1 – 2- 3!
Hit ‘em low!
Hit ‘em high!
And watch our Eagles fly!
Fly, Eagles, Fly!
On the road to victory!
E-A-G-L-E-S!
Eagles!
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
