Royal Air Force March Past

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The "Royal Air Force March Past" is the official march of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The original score was completed by Sir Henry Walford Davies in 1918 for the new RAF; it combined the rhythm of the bugle call of the Royal Flying Corps with that of the Royal Naval Air Service. The call appears in both the introduction and the coda. The second part of the march past, the trio, was composed by Sir George Dyson.

In 1943, authority was given for its performance in Canada as the "RCAF March Past". The march has also been adopted by most other Commonwealth air forces.

[edit] Lyrics

The following are the lyrics, composed by Davies. It references the motto of the RCAF and RAF, "Per Ardua Ad Astra" (Latin, "Through adversity to the stars").

RAF March Past

Through adversities we'll conquer.

Blaze into the stars,

A trail of glory

We'll live on land and sea

'Til victory is won.

Men in blue the skies are winging

In each heart one thought is ringing.

Fight for the right,

God is our might,

We shall be free.