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12/04/2022

Hymn for the Royal Air Force

On April 11th, the Royal Albert Hall was the setting for the premiere of a new work for which Grahame Davies has written the words.

Per Ardua Ad Astra, the Royal Air Force's first specially-commissioned hymn, has been commissioned by the Royal Air Force and set to music by composer Paul Mealor.

It was performed to a sellout audience at the Classic FM Live concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the Royal Choral Society, the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment and a contingent of the Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums. 

It was broadcast on Classic FM on April 12.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing the piece

LYRICS - PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

You make the winds Your messengers, 

Your servants flames of fire,

You raise them up on eagles’ wings

that tempests cannot tire.

You make the clouds Your chariot,

the lightning bolt Your blade.

Give us your strength to keep from harm

the heavens that You made. 

Although our path may lead from peace,

and strife may stain the hand,

it is through faith that we may fall,

for love we leave the land.

Through faith You fell beneath the cross,

for love were lifted high.

Go with the guardians of the earth 

whose summons is the sky. 

You called Your true companions,

to leave the land they knew.

The keepers of Your kingdom are

the faithful and the few. 

You fought between the earth and sky:

Your body bears the scars.

Be with the brave whom duty calls

through struggle to the stars.