It's deafening. If you’ve ever stood in the middle of Lincoln Financial Field after a touchdown, you know that sound. It’s not just cheering. It’s a rhythmic, tribal roar that starts in the gut and ends with thousands of people screaming letters at the sky. We are talking about the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly, a piece of music that is essentially the secular hymn of the Delaware Valley.
Most people think it’s just a catchy jingle. They’re wrong. It is a piece of living history that has survived ownership changes, stadium demolitions, and decades of "Philadelphia-style" heartbreak before the 2017 Super Bowl glory.
The weird history of the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly
Back in the 1960s, things were different. The song wasn't even called "Fly Eagles Fly" originally. It was "The Fight Day Song." It was written around 1960 by Charles Borrelli and Roger Courtland. If you listen to the original version, it sounds like something out of a grainy, black-and-white newsreel or a high school pep rally from the Eisenhower era. It had this jaunty, big-band swing to it that feels almost polite compared to the aggressive wall of sound it has become today.
During the dark ages of the 70s and 80s, the song kinda fell out of favor. It didn't disappear, but it wasn't the monster it is now. Then comes the 1990s. When Jeffrey Lurie bought the team in 1994, there was a conscious effort to revitalize the "brand," though fans back then just wanted to see some wins. The team brought in a brass band. They polished the lyrics. They changed the tempo. Suddenly, the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly was the centerpiece of the game-day experience at the Vet.
It’s short. It’s punchy. It’s easy to learn. That’s the secret sauce.
The lyrics: What you’re actually screaming
The words are deceptively simple, but they hit every note a fan needs.
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!
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The "Hit 'em low, hit 'em high" part is a favorite for the older generation of fans who remember the "Gang Green" defense. It’s a bit of a throwback to a more physical, perhaps more violent era of football. Nowadays, if you actually hit 'em high, you're getting a 15-yard penalty and a fine from the league office, but we still sing it with the same intensity.
Why it works better than other fight songs
Most NFL teams don't have fight songs that people actually know. Look at the Giants or the Cowboys. Do they have a song that 70,000 people sing in unison? Not really. They might have "stadium anthems" or pop songs they play, but they don't have this. The Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly works because it belongs to the fans, not the marketing department.
The spelling of the name at the end is the kicker. It’s the release of all that tension. You spend 30 seconds singing, and then you get to just shout letters. It’s cathartic. Honestly, if you don’t lose your voice a little bit during the "E-A-G-L-E-S" part, were you even at the game?
There’s a specific cadence to it. The tempo has actually sped up over the years. If you listen to the 1960 version, it’s almost a leisurely stroll. Today, it’s played at a BPM that matches a racing heartbeat. This change wasn't accidental; it mirrors the frantic, high-energy atmosphere of Philly sports culture.
The Super Bowl LII impact
Before 2017, the song felt like a promise that hadn't been kept. We were always "on the road to victory," but we never quite arrived at the destination. When the Eagles finally beat the Patriots in Minneapolis, the song changed. It wasn't just a wish anymore; it was a victory lap.
I remember being on Broad Street that night. You didn't even need the music playing over speakers. Groups of strangers would just lock eyes and start the "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant. It became the soundtrack to the greatest party in the history of the city. At that point, the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly officially graduated from a sports jingle to a cultural landmark.
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The etiquette of the song
You don't just sing it whenever. There are rules. Unwritten, obviously, but very real.
You sing it after a touchdown. That’s the big one. The kick goes through the uprights, or the receiver breaks the plane, and the first few notes of the horn section blast through the PA system. That’s your cue.
You also hear it during the pre-game ceremonies. When the players run out of the tunnel through the smoke and the pyrotechnics, the song sets the stage. It’s a psychological trigger. It tells the fans: "We are here. It's time."
But here is what most people get wrong: singing it when the team is down by 20 in the fourth quarter. Some see it as loyalty. Others see it as a depressing reminder of what isn't happening on the field. The song is a celebration. It’s hard to celebrate when you’re getting carved up by a division rival.
Does every fan love it?
Mostly, yes. But Philadelphia is a cynical place. You’ll find some old-school fans who think the orchestrated nature of the song is a bit too "corporate." They prefer the organic, unprompted chants. However, even the crustiest fan usually finds themselves mouthing the letters at the end. It’s involuntary at this point.
The song has also been covered and remixed countless times. There are punk versions, orchestral versions, and probably a few polka versions floating around the Northeast. This versatility shows just how deeply it’s embedded in the local DNA. It’s not just for the guys in the 700 level (RIP); it’s for the kids in the suburbs and the grandmas in South Philly.
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How to properly experience it
If you’re a visitor or a new fan, don't try to lead the chant. Just follow along. Listen for the "1, 2, 3!"—that’s where people get tripped up. Most people shout "1, 2, 3" but some people emphasize the "Score a touchdown" part more.
Actually, the best way to hear it isn't at the stadium. It’s at a random bar in a different city or even a different country. You’re wearing an Eagles hat, someone else is wearing a jersey, and suddenly, the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly starts up. It’s an instant bond. It’s a way to find your people in a crowd of strangers.
The technicalities: Copyright and usage
Believe it or not, there's a lot of legal weight behind those few lines of music. The team owns the rights, and they are protective of it. You won't see it used in just any commercial. It’s a protected asset. This is why you often hear "generic" fight songs in movies or TV shows that are supposed to take place in Philly—they don't want to pay the licensing fee for the real thing.
But the fans? The fans own it in every way that matters.
Modern variations and the "Go Birds" phenomenon
In recent years, "Fly Eagles Fly" has shared some headspace with the "Go Birds" mantra. "Go Birds" is the greeting, the goodbye, and the "I agree with you" of the fan base. But while "Go Birds" is the language of the street, the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly remains the official liturgy.
Interestingly, the song has survived the transition from the Vet to the Linc perfectly. Many things were lost when the team moved south across Pattison Avenue—the lawlessness of the stands, the literal jail in the basement—but the song provided the continuity. It made the new stadium feel like home immediately.
What's next for the anthem?
Songs like this don't really change anymore. They are frozen in time, which is exactly what we want from them. We don't need a "modern" version with a trap beat or a guest verse from a local rapper (though many have tried). The power of the Philadelphia Eagles song Fly Eagles Fly lies in its nostalgia. It links the kid at his first game in 2024 to his grandfather who watched Chuck Bednarik in 1960.
As long as there is an NFL team in Philadelphia, this song will be played. It’s a cycle. Score, sing, spell, repeat. It’s the heartbeat of a city that wears its heart on its sleeve and its team’s colors on its face.
Actionable insights for fans and visitors
- Learn the lyrics before you go. Don't be the person humming along until the spelling part. It takes five minutes to memorize.
- Watch the conductor. There’s usually a band or a drumline near one of the end zones. Following their lead helps keep the rhythm, especially since the sound delay in a massive stadium can make the crowd get out of sync.
- Save your voice. It’s a long game. If you go 100% on the song in the first quarter, you’ll be whispering by the fourth.
- Respect the silence. When the Eagles are on offense and in the huddle, keep it down. The song is for after the big play, not during the play call.
- Check out the history. Look up the 1960 version on YouTube just to hear how much it has evolved. It gives you a deeper appreciation for the modern "war cry" version.