A popular song from 1917.
Words and music by Karl Merkau.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Bird of wonder, how amazing
Soaring through the sunny sky
We below are watching, gazing
How so wondrously you fly
Starward soaring, never weary
Winged ship, you sail afar
Earth below lies dull and dreary
While you rise to sun and star
Oh descend, you fluttering fairy
Dreams of ages have come true
Leave your pathway, high and airy
Leave the heavens’ joyous blue
What the Greeks were faintly hoping
Now is done, for man is flying
What we dreamed of, dimly groping
High in sunlight we are spying
Wonderful swallow, heavenward singing
Freedom and glory, boldly to fare
Your praise forever I would be singing
Ever I’ll hail you, King of the air
Sung here by Vancha March: