"Let the Eagle Soar" is a song written by former Missouri Senator and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who is seen singing the song at a Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary function on February 23, 2002. The song was sung during President of the United States George W. Bush's second inauguration in January 2005 by Guy Hovis, a vocalist from the 1970s variety program The Lawrence Welk Show.

On July 4, 2011 Angela McKenzie, a singer and radio personality of the syndicated program Initiative Radio with Angela McKenzie, quietly released a contemporary Country music version of the song as a digital download with the official approval and blessing of John Ashcroft.

Background

John Ashcroft sang in The Singing Senators, a group of U.S. Senators who sang as a barbershop quartet.

  • "Let the Eagle Soar" was sung by lil' John Ashcroft on an episode of Lil' Bush.
  • It has also been frequently mocked on late-night comedy shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report and the Late Show with David Letterman.
  • It is part of Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, and is also featured in the trailer.
  • It was used in the 2015 film The Big Short and the 2021 film Don't Look Up.

References

  • CNN video of John Ashcroft singing "Let the Eagle Soar"
  • "Ashcroft rallies troops with song"
  • "Staff cry poetic injustice as singing Ashcroft introduces patriot games"
  • "Division Streets, U.S.A."
  • "Loony tunes: US attorney-general's crooning glory"
  • "The Justice Department on music"
  • "'The List' -- Find Out Who Said What This Week"