NASA COMMISSIONS JUDY COLLINS TO WRITE A SONG IN HONOR OF EILEEN COLLINS THROUGH THE NASA ART PROGRAM

Judy Collins has honored Eileen Collins, first woman to command a Space Shuttle, with a song commissioned by NASA through the NASA Art Program. Judy Collins will perform the song, "Beyond the Sky," at a pre-flight briefing on Monday, July 19, 1999 at 10:30 p.m. and will be on hand for the VIP viewing of the launch that evening. It is also understood that the song written especially for the occasion will be broadcast at the site prior to the launch. The launch of STS-93 coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing.

For additional information on the Shuttle-related events or the music, please contact:

• Jim Murtha/Gurtman and Murtha, 212/967-7350 or 516/587-6125
• Katherine DePaul/Wildflower Records, 212/749-7221
• Bert Ulrich/NASA, 202/358-1713

Once there was a girl with a dream in her heart
Wild as the wind was her hope
In those far off days she could dream all she would
No one but her heart believed her hope
All she could do was to hold to her dream
Catching every rainbow's light
Praying for the miracle to come to pass
Even on the darkest night

That she would fly beyond the sky
Beyond the stars beyond the heavens
Beyond the dawn she'd carry on
Until her dreams had all come true

Once there was a woman with stars in her eyes
Flying on the wings of her dreams
She had come so far it was hard to believe
Changed the world from what it seemed
Equal to the ones who had claimed the sky
Now she flew with them beneath the sun
But she dared a dream beyond all dreams
She would take the helm and be the one

And she would fly beyond the sky
Beyond the stars beyond the heavens
Beyond the dawn she'll carry on
Until her dreams have all come true

She had led the way beyond darkness
For other dreamers who would dare the sky
She has led us to believe in dreaming
Given us the hope that we can try

Now in the grace of her dance of delight
Shining in her destiny
Here is the promise for all our hopes
Telling us we can be free

And we will fly beyond the sky
Beyond the stars beyond the heavens
Beyond the dawn we'll carry on
Until our dreams have all come true

To those who fly - we sing to you

Into the sky

Beyond the stars

We'll reach our dreams

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