God Speed Columbia

It was a cold day in January,
In the year 2003
When a crew of astronauts left the earth
On a voyage for you and me.
These men and women rode Columbia,
Their flaming steed into the sky.
America? We all just shrugged
As the shuttle rose up high.

We said we'd seen it all before,
The sound, the fury, the fire.
Our eyes and hearts were jaded.
The spectacle grew tired.
Yet those astronauts still left the earth
On a voyage for you and me.
A voyage of discovery,
To see what they could see.

God speed Columbia,
Carry your brave crew safe.
Carry them from the earth
Into the tranquil space.
High above the mindless crowds,
Above the clouds of war.
God speed Columbia,
Close to Heaven's door.

Sixteen days in orbit
On a voyage of discovery
Columbia's brave men and women
Went to see what they could see.
America? We All just shrugged
As the shuttle flew up high.
We said we'd seen it all before.
So jaded were our eyes.

Then on the morn of the sixteenth day,
Columbia turned towards home.
Her brave crew was coming down
From the edge of God's own throne.
The rockets fired, Columbia slowed,
Soon she settled in.
Her path to home through a ride of fire,
Was set to soon begin.

God speed Columbia
Carry your brave crew safe.
Carry them down home to earth,
Carry them home from Space
Back down to the mindless crowds
And through the clouds of war.
God speed Columbia
Bring them home once more.

Columbia, mortally wounded,
Though no one knew,
Struggled through the fiery ride,
Carrying her brave crew.
Houston to Columbia,
Something's not quite right.
Columbia to Houston,
We have our home in sight.
Roger that Columbia,
Some sensors are off scale low.
Columbia to Houston,
We hear you, we're checking, Oh!

Rockets fired and elevons moved
As Columbia struggled home.
Temperatures rose and sensors failed
The troubles were too soon known.
Columbia to her captain,
I'll give my all for you.
I'll carry you home or die trying,
You and your brave crew.
Pitch and yaw through the fiery flight,
Doing all she could.
Columbia was true, she'd get them home
Or give her life she would.

God speed Columbia,
Bringing her brave crew home.
Carrying them back from space,
Back from the great unknown.
Back into the mindless crowds
And to the clouds of war.
God speed Columbia
Bring them home once more.

Houston to Columbia,
More sensors are off scale low.
Columbia to Houston,
We see them. We're checking. Oh!
Houston to Columbia,
Please come home safe.
Columbia's reply to Houston.
Now just silent space.

Columbia, she gave her all
To save her brave and valiant crew.
She rode through fire, she gave her life.
There was nothing she could do.
Columbia, she brought them home,
Just not to me,
Or you.

God speed Columbia
Carry your brave crew safe.
Carry them to their home in time,
Carry them in grace.
Far above the mindless crowds
Above the clouds of war.
God speed Columbia
You brought them home once more.

In Memory of the Crew of STS-107

Left to Right

Mission Specialist 1: David M. Brown, age 46
Commander: Rick D. Husband, age 45
Mission Specialist 4: Laurel Blair Salton Clark, age 41
Mission Specialist 2: Kalpana Chawla, age 41
Payload Commander: Michael P. Anderson, age 43
Pilot: William C. McCool, age 41
Payload Specialist 1: Ilan Ramon, age 48

It was a cold day in January, In the year 2003 When a crew of astronauts left the earth On a voyage for you and me. These men and women rode Columbia, Their flaming steed into the sky. America? We all just shrugged As the shuttle rose up high.

We said we'd seen it all before, The sound, the fury, the fire. Our eyes and hearts were jaded. The spectacle grew tired. Yet those astronauts still left the earth On a voyage for you and me. A voyage of discovery, To see what they could see.

God speed Columbia, Carry your brave crew safe. Carry them from the earth Into the tranquil space. High above the mindless crowds, Above the clouds of war. God speed Columbia, Close to Heaven's door.

Sixteen days in orbit On a voyage of discovery Columbia's brave men and women Went to see what they could see. America? We All just shrugged As the shuttle flew up high. We said we'd seen it all before. So jaded were our eyes.

Then on the morn of the sixteenth day, Columbia turned towards home. Her brave crew was coming down From the edge of God's own throne. The rockets fired, Columbia slowed, Soon she settled in. Her path to home through a ride of fire, Was set to soon begin.

God speed Columbia Carry your brave crew safe. Carry them down home to earth, Carry them home from Space Back down to the mindless crowds And through the clouds of war. God speed Columbia Bring them home once more.

God speed Columbia, Bringing her brave crew home. Carrying them back from space, Back from the great unknown. Back into the mindless crowds And to the clouds of war. God speed Columbia Bring them home once more.

Houston to Columbia, More sensors are off scale low. Columbia to Houston, We see them. We're checking. Oh! Houston to Columbia, Please come home safe. Columbia's reply to Houston. Now just silent space.

Columbia, she gave her all To save her brave and valiant crew. She rode through fire, she gave her life. There was nothing she could do. Columbia, she brought them home, Just not to me, Or you.

God speed Columbia Carry your brave crew safe. Carry them to their home in time, Carry them in grace. Far above the mindless crowds Above the clouds of war. God speed Columbia You brought them home once more.