Go birds. If you've ever spent a Sunday afternoon in South Philly, specifically in the concrete jungle of the Wells Fargo Center parking lots or deep within the Linc, those three words are basically a religious greeting. But the real glue? The real sonic assault that defines the Philadelphia Eagles experience? It’s the fly eagles fly fight song. It is short. It is loud. It is remarkably simple, yet it carries the weight of a franchise that wears its heart (and its occasional heartbreak) on its sleeve.
Most people don't realize that the anthem we scream today isn't exactly how it started back in the 1950s. It has been tweaked, renamed, and fought over. It’s a piece of living history that survives because it’s one of the few things every single person in a 70,000-seat stadium can agree on—even when they’re booing the backup punter.
The Weird History Behind the Lyrics
Back in the day—we’re talking the late 1950s—the song wasn't even called "Fly, Eagles Fly." It was originally titled "The Fight for the Eagles." It was written by Charles Borrelli and Roger Courtland. Honestly, the original version had a much more "Big Band" swing feel to it. It sounded like something you’d hear in a black-and-white newsreel while a guy in a trench coat talked about "the ol' pigskin." It was formal. It was polite.
It was definitely not Philly.
The version of the fly eagles fly fight song that we know and lose our voices to today really took shape in the late 90s. Around 1997, the team modified the lyrics and sped up the tempo. They changed the key. They made it punchier. They took the old, sweeping orchestral vibes and turned it into a chant-heavy anthem that fits perfectly between a third-down stop and a beer run.
The most important change? The spelling.
E-A-G-L-E-S. EAGLES!
👉 See also: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
That little addition at the end is what turned a song into a weaponized piece of fan engagement. Without the spelling bee at the end, the song is just a tune. With it, it’s a roar.
Why the Music Actually Works (From a Sound Perspective)
Musically, the song is a bit of an anomaly. It’s written in a major key, which usually signifies happiness and triumph. But in Philadelphia, it’s sung with a certain level of aggressive desperation. It’s a march. The 2/2 or 4/4 time signature makes it easy for even the most "over-served" fan to keep the beat.
The melody is actually quite high. When you get to the "Fly, Eagles Fly!" part, the notes jump. This forces the crowd to strain their vocal cords, which adds that signature raspy, gritty sound you hear on the TV broadcast after a touchdown. It’s not supposed to be pretty. If it sounds like a professional choir, you're doing it wrong. It should sound like a thousand gravel trucks dumping their loads simultaneously.
The Lyrics: A Breakdown of the Fly Eagles Fly Fight Song
Let's look at what we’re actually saying when we scream this thing.
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!
The "1, 2, 3" line is objectively hilarious. In a game where scores happen in increments of 3, 6, 7, or 2, asking for a touchdown "1, 2, 3" makes almost zero logical sense. But that’s the beauty of it. You don't think. You just yell.
✨ Don't miss: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
The "Hit 'em low, hit 'em high" part is a throwback to an era of football that was much more... let's say, physically "unregulated." It’s a bit of a relic of the old-school, hard-nosed defensive identity that Philly fans still demand. If an Eagles linebacker doesn't hit someone "low or high" at least once a quarter, the crowd starts getting restless.
Cultural Impact and the Super Bowl LII Surge
For a long time, the song was a local treasure, but the rest of the country didn't really pay attention until the 2017-2018 season. When the Eagles went on that magical run with Nick Foles, the fly eagles fly fight song became a global earworm.
I remember seeing videos of fans in London, Tokyo, and even rival cities singing it. During the Super Bowl LII parade—the one with Jason Kelce in the Mummers outfit—the song was played on a loop for about eight hours straight. It ceased being a song and became a mantra.
Interestingly, there’s a common misconception that the song is played after every score. Not quite. While it’s the standard touchdown celebration, the timing is everything. If the Eagles are down by 30 points and score a garbage-time touchdown, the stadium DJ usually has the wisdom to play it a little quieter, or the fans just refuse to sing it out of spite. That’s the Philly way. The song is earned, not just given.
Dealing With the Haters
If you talk to a Giants fan or a Cowboys fan, they’ll tell you the song is annoying. They’ll say it’s repetitive. They’re right. That’s the point. The fly eagles fly fight song is designed to be a psychological bludgeon. It is meant to remind the opposing team and their three traveling fans that they are in a hostile environment.
There’s also the "Patsy" factor. For years, people argued about whether the song was too "corny" for a city as tough as Philadelphia. There were attempts to introduce new songs. Hip-hop tracks, rock anthems, you name it. None of them stuck. You can’t manufacture 60 years of tradition in a marketing meeting. The fans decided the fight song was the one, and that was that.
🔗 Read more: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
How to Properly Sing It (A Fan's Guide)
If you're heading to Lincoln Financial Field for the first time, don't just mumble the words. You have to commit.
- Wait for the prompt. The cannons will fire, or the jumbotron will flash. That’s your cue.
- The "Fly" needs to be elongated. It’s not a short "Fly." It’s a "Flllyyyyyyyyyy."
- The Spelling is Mandatory. You cannot skip the E-A-G-L-E-S. Even if you’re holding two hot dogs and a soda, you find a way to pump your fist for every letter.
- The Final "EAGLES!" Roar. This is where you release all your pent-up stress from the work week.
Beyond the Stadium
The song has migrated. It’s played at weddings. It’s played at bar mitzvahs. I’ve heard it at funerals—which sounds dark, but in Philly, it’s a sign of ultimate respect. It’s the soundtrack to the city’s pulse.
When the Phillies are in the World Series, you'll hear "Fly, Eagles Fly" at Citizens Bank Park. Why? Because the seasons bleed into each other, and the sports culture in Philadelphia is one giant, interconnected web of passion and frustration. The song transcends the sport of football itself.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan
To truly appreciate the fly eagles fly fight song, you need to do more than just listen to it on YouTube.
- Check out the 1960s vinyl recordings. You can find old versions on eBay or in local thrift stores like those along South Street. Hearing the original "The Fight for the Eagles" gives you a deep appreciation for how the song evolved from a polite march into a battle cry.
- Visit the Eagles Hall of Fame. Located at the stadium, it offers a look at the franchise's history where the song is often featured in the exhibits.
- Learn the "alternate" lyrics. Local bands often do covers. The Roots have done versions. Hearing different genre interpretations shows just how sturdy the melody actually is.
- Teach the next generation. It’s a rite of passage. If you’re a parent in the Delaware Valley, teaching your kid to spell EAGLES before they can spell their own name is a standard parenting goal.
The song isn't going anywhere. As long as there is a team in Philadelphia wearing midnight green, those trumpets will blare, and 70,000 people will scream about hitting someone "low and high." It’s beautiful, it’s chaotic, and it’s perfectly Philly.