Graduation Day

Notes from Joel:

I was scheduled to perform at a graduation celebration for a church in Santa Barbara during May of 1985. As I was showering the morning of the event, the chorus to this song came to me and I grabbed a soon-to-be-soaked legal pad and scribbled down the lyrics. Within 5 hours, I'd finished the song. That evening I performed it, reading the lyrics from a hand written cheat sheet. As I sang it, I watched the faces of parents trying to gain composure, steeped in emotion. I thought, "I've created a monster!" and didn't know what to do with it. Some friends encouraged me to record it and get some exposure. It underwent some minor changes and nine months later I independently released it on a 45rpm record to over 100 Christian radio stations. The airplay began to snowball into something we couldn't service to record store outlets. I didn't know the first thing about pitching our stuff to a label, so eventually the season for graduates went away and so did the airplay, but the song is still a favorite for many. The exposure garnered an appearance and interview on the Pat Boone radio show later that summer and a near signing to the Lamb and Lion record label.

Credits: Joel Weldon - Lead vocals, guitars, bass; Tom Mgrdichian - Keyboards, drum programming; Dave Fenderson - Background vocals

Recorded at the San Gabriel studio in January of 1986. Released on the Mistaken Identity project later that year.

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Graduation Day

That's a funny looking hat that you're wearing
Which side does that thing hang on, is it "left" before, and "right" after
All dressed up nowhere to go is how it seems
You've only known this moment in your dreams

This morning your mother cried at breakfast
All those years she lived for you are suddenly gone
Why did this day ever have to come
Couldn't it all just stop and go away

chorus
Now it's time to lean upon the master
Your mom and dad are still there but it will never be the same
As you step out on your own, remember most of all
He's always there to catch you when you fall
He's always there to catch you when you fall

Tonight your father stopped you in the hallway
Without a word he hugged you like he'd never let you go
His eyes were trying hard to push the tears away
"I'm proud of you" was all that he could say

chorus

By Joel Weldon

©1986 Joel Weldon Music (BMI).   All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, copying or commercial usage strictly prohibited. Please respect the rights of creative artists by not abusing copyright law.

 

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