The band had its genesis when long-time Statesmen Quartet member Jake Hess retired from that band on December 7, 1963.[1] Hess wanted to start a new group recognized as "king" of the Southern gospel field and thought the "Imperials" would be a good moniker. After getting the go-ahead from Marion Snider for permission to use the name (Snider had previously operated an Imperial Quartet named after its sponsor Imperial Sugar), he gathered together pianist Henry Slaughter from the Weatherford Quartet,ex-Oak Ridge Boys baritone Gary McSpadden, the Weatherford Quartet's bass singer Armond Morales and Speer Family tenor Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen to join him.[2] Signing with Benson Records subsidiary Skylite, the group had a busy first year releasing 4 albums in 1964.
Eagle Song
Imperials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spread his wings and soar across the sky
So gracefully he flew
Rising effortlessly
I wanted to know just how to be free
Tiny fingers curled 'round mine
Perfectly formed; new born
Infinite mystery
I wanted to know were life comes from
What human intellect can't sway
Must be explained this way
Earth wisdom, religions of men
Searched without end to find the spirit house within
Simplicity of God somehow escapes man
Ooh ooh ooh...
I reach for the eternal one
Creation he was waiting to renew
His purpose in me
He said this is were life begins
I made your spirit to glide on the wind
Come let's fly on the wind
Come on let's fly on the wind
On the wind
In the Imperials' song "Eagle Song", the singer watches an eagle fly and is struck by the beauty and grace of its flight. The singer is compelled to understand how to be free like the eagle. The singer then shifts to the image of holding a newborn baby's hand, marveling at the mystery of life and where it comes from. The singer speculates that what the human intellect cannot understand can be explained through "Earth wisdom" and religion. The search for the "spirit house within" leads to the simplicity of God, which somehow escapes human understanding. Finally, the singer hears the voice of the eternal one, who tells them that life begins with gliding on the wind and invites them to join in this flight of spirit.
The song seems to be a meditation on the mystery of life and how to find freedom and purpose within it. The singer is struck by the beauty of nature and the miracle of new life, but is also aware of the limitations of human understanding. The search for spiritual understanding and connection is presented as a way to access a deeper wisdom that goes beyond intellect.
Line by Line Meaning
I stood and watched an eagle fly
The singer is observing an eagle in flight
Spread his wings and soar across the sky
The eagle is using its wings to fly effortlessly
So gracefully he flew
The eagle's flight is beautiful and elegant
Rising effortlessly
The eagle is ascending with ease
I wanted to know just how to be free
The artist is inspired by the eagle's freedom and seeks to understand how to achieve freedom
Tiny fingers curled 'round mine
The singer is holding a newborn baby's hand
Perfectly formed; new born
The baby is a new life and represents a fresh start
The image of two
The baby's appearance and presence is a result of the union of two individuals
Infinite mystery
The complexity of life and its origins is a mystery beyond human comprehension
I wanted to know where life comes from
The artist is questioning the origin of life
What human intellect can't sway
The singer acknowledges the limitations of the human mind
Must be explained this way
The explanation for life's mysteries lies beyond human understanding
Earth wisdom, religions of men
Both scientific and religious explanations have been sought to understand the mysteries of life
Searched without end to find the spirit house within
People have searched endlessly for spiritual understanding and answers
Simplicity of God somehow escapes man
Despite man's attempts, the nature and essence of God remains elusive and complex
I reach for the eternal one
The artist seeks a connection with the eternal and divine
Creation he was waiting to renew
God is waiting to bring about renewal and restoration in the world
His purpose in me
The singer recognizes that they have a divine purpose
He said this is where life begins
The singer understands that true life begins with spiritual connection to God
I made your spirit to glide on the wind
God has created the artist's spirit to soar and be free
Come let's fly on the wind
The artist invites others to experience the freedom and joy of spiritual connection
Come on let's fly on the wind
The artist reiterates their invitation to others
On the wind
The spiritual freedom and joy is represented by the wind
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@revmick48
Beautiful! The late 70s and early 80s was a wonderful time for Christian music!! I still love Russ Taff, Bob Bennett, Keith Green, Steve Green, Harvest, and others of that time!
@jackfullerton5762
Beautiful song. Thank you Lord for the peace and comfort it imparts.
@lauriebauer5803
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ💞🙏🙏🙏
@victormoon2349
What a beautiful song written and sung by Russ Taff. Brings back lots of memories.
@victormoon2349
I remember this song as a kid. I’m 58 now, and it still gets my soul.
@noyb12345
You don't look a day older than 57.9 😊
@hymnplayer
My wife and I have listened to this beautiful songs for years and years. It never gets old.
@carlstewart365
This song brings back so many wonderful memories of the early 80's, and the music of these guys made such an impact on me personally. This one is still as beautiful, inspirational, and relevant as it ever was.
@akbarshoed
I'm a paraglider. At our sight an eagle often shows up and steals the show. I think of this song.
@deaddemocrat608
...The 80s, the weekend, mom cleaning the house with favorite christian music on...