Lets Go Fly A Kite

A Kiting Commentary On The Mary Poppins Movie Song

Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke sang 'Lets Go Fly a Kite' in the classic 'Mary Poppins' movie, which first screened in 1964. I can remember being taken to see the movie, as a young teenager I think.

About all I can remember is asking Dad which part of England Dick Van Dyke's accent came from. Dad's reply? 'A bit of everything, I think!' So it was a fake Pommy accent - my Dad's the real deal. Anyway, we're getting off topic here...

After coming across these lyrics today, I thought it would be interesting to put an MBK spin on them! My notes are in light blue, below.

LETS GO FLY A KITE

Mr. Banks:
With tuppence for paper and strings
Cheap even by MBK Skewer-kite standards, which range in cost from 8 cents to 77 cents according to a few calculations I did last year!
You can have your own set of wings
Well, so can you, with one of the MBK Delta kites... Actually the Doperos look somewhat aircraft-like in flight too.
With your feet on the ground
The only way I recommend flying a kite. Yeah, I know about kite-surfing, but you could get wet doing that ;-)
You're a bird in a flight
True. The sensations of flight are indeed transmitted down the string somehow. Hang-glider pilots or paraglider pilots sometimes enjoy flying kites too. As does your's truly, an old ex glider pilot. There's still something in common. People who like flying also like things that fly, in just about any shape or form.
With your fist holding tight
Unless the kite has more than a square meter or 2 of sail area, you don't actually have to grip that tightly. However, it does rhyme with the next line...
To the string of your kite
Maybe they used a ball of hemp string back in the 60s, but braided Dacron (polyester) is the way to go now, for single-line kites. Mind you, it's very common to refer to the kite's flying line as the 'string', whatever it's made of.

Oh, oh, oh!
The refrain...
Lets go fly a kite
By all means, let's go...
Up to the highest height!
BUT no higher than 400 feet above ground in Australia, 60 meters in the U.K., 150 meters in Europe and 500 feet in the U.S., or the Altitude Police (Civil Aviation Authorities) will GET you. Unless you have special dispensation, months in advance. It's just wrong.
Lets go fly a kite and send it soaring
Heck yeah, thermalling up to the legal limit is a blast with a decent light-wind kite. For example, the 2-Skewer Dopero or the Dowel Rokkaku! Soaring on warm rising air is a great aspect of single-line kite flying.
Up through the atmosphere
Well yes, up to the afore-mentioned limits....
Up where the air is clear
Definitely! If cloud-base is lower than your kite, and you can hear thunder, perhaps you shouldn't be flying. A wet string is basically a lightning-rod looking for some lightning. ZAP. Fried kite pilot.
Oh, lets go fly a kite!
Every day if possible. If the wife will let you...

Bert:
When you send it flyin' up there
yeees...?
All at once you're lighter than air
Mmmm I believe some kite fishermen employ helium balloons when the wind is too light, to keep their fishing kites up. But the song is referring to your mood, when watching a kite do its thing, high up. It certainly is relaxing, even therapeutic.
You can dance on the breeze
Again, the song-writer is making a connection between your mood and the kite's flight.
Over 'ouses and trees
I've come unstuck once or twice, over 'ouses and trees! Even if the kite has a reliable flying history, you just never know... The wind might suddenly die, it might suddenly get too strong for the kite. Flying over 'ouses and trees calls for constant monitoring of the kite, from my experience!
With your first 'olding tight
What? Has the wind picked up?
To the string of your kite
...or the winder or reel.

Londoners:
Oh, oh, oh!
Here comes that refrain again...
Lets go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Lets go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Let's go fly a kite!
Absolutely. As often and as high as possible.

Credits (for song lyrics only):

Songwriters: Robert Sherman, Richard Sherman

Copyright © held by WONDERLAND MUSIC COMPANY INC

I'm sure the context of the song was kids flying kites, at least being involved in the activity somehow. See if you can spot Mary Poppins in the photographic art work below. If you can't, just click on the link and try again with the larger version of the photo.

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Last updated: 3 Sep 2009