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Anatomy of a Song: "Sky Pilot" Quiz

Just how much do you know about The Animals' classic "Sky Pilot"? Pit yourself against 10 questions about the song and/or associated facts. Song #13 in the 'Anatomy' series.

A multiple-choice quiz by FussBudget. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
FussBudget

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
206,993

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1426

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the "Sky Pilot"? Hint

A bomber pilot

A fighter pilot

An air trafic controller

A military chaplain

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What smell pervades the air as the Sky Pilot addresses the soldiers? Hint

Death

Gunpowder

Gun grease

Gasoline

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Question 3 of 10

3. And as "the boys...stand in line", what "shine(s)"? Hint

Their bayonets

The future

The sun

Their brass

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Question 4 of 10

4. What words of encouragement does the Sky Pilot offer to the troops? Hint

He tells them it's all right

He tells them good will prevail

He tells them everything will be fine

He tells them of John 3:16

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Complete this lyric:

"Soon there'll be blood and many will die
______ back home they will cry" Hint

Mothers and fathers

Aunties and uncles

Sisters and brothers

Grandmas and grandpas

6. The Sky Pilot stays behind:

"He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is given
They move down the line
But he's still behind and he'll meditate"

However, his meditation won't "ease the hate" and it also "won't stop the ______"? Hint

Bleeding

Mourning

Death

Bloodshed

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. As the Sky Pilot lies down, what is it that he "hopes the men will find...in the words that he said"? Hint

Salvation

Comfort

Courage

Bravery

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The Sky Pilot tells the troops:

"You're ______ of God, you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands" Hint

Children

Chosen

Disciples

Soldiers

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What kind of "stench" is mentioned as "(drifting) up to the skies"? Hint

Death

Blood

Defeat

Dishonour

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the Ten Commandments is sung about? Hint

Thou shalt not commit adultery

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy

Honour thy father and thy mother

Thou shalt not kill

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 07 2024 : Guest 98: 6/10
Oct 31 2024 : Coachpete1: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the "Sky Pilot"?

Answer: A military chaplain

There are numerous references in the song as to the occupation of the "Sky Pilot", including:

"He blesses the boys as they stand in line"

"He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man
Sky pilot, sky pilot
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky"

"He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile"

"He feels good, with God you're never alone
He feels tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said"

2. What smell pervades the air as the Sky Pilot addresses the soldiers?

Answer: Gun grease

"He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shine"

3. And as "the boys...stand in line", what "shine(s)"?

Answer: Their bayonets

"He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shine"

I can think of nothing worse than preparing for a battle with the prospect of using a bayonet. Bullets somehow seem so much less 'personal'.

4. What words of encouragement does the Sky Pilot offer to the troops?

Answer: He tells them it's all right

"He smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them it's all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight"

According to www.songfacts.com: "In the movie *M*A*S*H*, from which the TV series was based, Hawkeye and his friends refer to Major Frank Burns as a bible-toting 'Sky Pilot'".

5. Complete this lyric: "Soon there'll be blood and many will die ______ back home they will cry"

Answer: Mothers and fathers

"Soon there'll be blood and many will die
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry"

I am sure the rest would have shed a tear as well...

6. The Sky Pilot stays behind: "He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile The order is given They move down the line But he's still behind and he'll meditate" However, his meditation won't "ease the hate" and it also "won't stop the ______"?

Answer: Bleeding

"But he's still behind and he'll meditate
But it won't stop the bleeding or ease the hate"

7. As the Sky Pilot lies down, what is it that he "hopes the men will find...in the words that he said"?

Answer: Courage

"He feels tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said"

8. The Sky Pilot tells the troops: "You're ______ of God, you must understand The fate of your country is in your young hands"

Answer: Soldiers

"You're soldiers of God, you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands"

According to www.songfacts.com: "Burdon received an angry letter from the British government for his use of the pipe music. The tune he used was "All The Bluebonnet's Are Over The Border," which is a classic Scottish war piece...written during the Scottish Jacobite rising".

9. What kind of "stench" is mentioned as "(drifting) up to the skies"?

Answer: Death

"In the morning they return
With tears in their eyes
The stench of death drifts up to the skies"

10. Which of the Ten Commandments is sung about?

Answer: Thou shalt not kill

"A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
Remembers the words
Thou shalt not kill"

Source: Author FussBudget

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Related Quizzes

This quiz is part of series Anatomy of a Song - Part 7:

This is part 7 of a collection of all of my "Anatomy of a Song" quizzes. They were the originals, much imitated since. I guess I should take that as a compliment!

  1. Anatomy of a Song: "The Beat Goes On" Average
  2. Anatomy of a Song: "The Weight" Average
  3. Anatomy of a Song: "Swamp Witch" Average
  4. Anatomy of a Song: "Sky Pilot" Average
  5. Anatomy of a Song: "Hurricane" Average
  6. Anatomy of a Song: "Signs" Easier

Referenced Topics

Music Movies Animals Government Vocabulary Borders The Animals

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