Story Behind the Song
In the weeks following April 21st, 1918, the world was in frenzy over the death of the great German flying ace, Manfred von Richtofen, "The Red Baron". The most heroic figure in German history had been killed in an air battle near Amiens, France. He had been struck by a bullet and crashed behind enemy lines.
While vehemently pursuing a rookie Canadian Pilot (Wop May), he had been straefed from above/behind by another Canadian pilot, and had been shot at by ground troops.
Officially, Canadian Captain Arthur (Roy) Brown (the straefing pilot) was given credit. His 7-second burst, at close enough range that he had to "swerve away to avoid collision" sent 140 rounds into the immediate confines of the Baron's Fokker Triplane.
It was an honor that Captain Brown neither approved nor wanted, and it would haunt him for the rest of his years. Not only was he guilt-ridden about causing death, he feared that any of many German nationalists, from Berlin to Buenos Aires, would one day show up and gun him down in reprisal.
To the relief of Roy Brown, many stories surfaced and persisted (and subsequently attempted to prove) that Australian ground-fire, though highly unlikely, had hit the Baron. Unless, of course, the actual bullet is found and somehow doubtless proven (It went missing along with countless souvenirs from the wreckage) no one will ever really be able to alter the historic record.
Lyrics
It's the Baron! In terror they cried,
80 men tried him . . . 80 men died.
With the German Flying Circus, along for the ride
Nothing seemed likely to turn the tide . . .
Through the haze flew Roy Brown and Wop May
Two Royal Air Force fly boys from Canadi-ay.
"Stop the Flying Circus!" they'd toast
"Down with the Baron!" they'd drink to their host.
There was fear in the sky when the Red Baron did fly,
For numb was his nerve, and firm his despise.
Eighty small emblems appeared as his brand,
Each an opponent, shot down by his hand . . .
For Manfred was a sniper who wore no disguise,
From a fortress in Breslau came bullets with eyes . . .
From above, he'd swoop out of the sun,
On the doomed Allied pilot he'd open his guns!
Through the haze flew Roy Brown and Wop May
Two Royal Air Force fly boys from Canadi-ay.
"Stop the Flying Circus!" they'd toast
"Down with the Baron!" they'd drink to their host.
T'was in spring of '18, over Amiens one day
On his maiden mission, the rookie Wop May
Felt the roar of a tri-plane hurtling his way,
There were death lights flashing! He veered from the fray
And a free-fall . . . he tried to escape but in vain,
For the Baron was right on his heels again.
And he prayed, "Take me home Lord, I'm finished I fear..."
When high, from the sky, Captain Brown did appear!
And with guns ablaze, from above and below,
The Great Baron's plane became lifeless and slow . . .
And it fluttered and fell to the ground,
Where the great ace, Von Richtofen, dying; was found . . .
Through the haze flew Roy Brown and Wop May
Two Royal Air Force fly boys from Canadi-ay . . .
["To the Flying Circus!" they'd toast
"Here's to the Baron!" they'd drink to their host . . . ]
© words and music by John Spearn
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