This song was written and produced for research purposes for the study “Measuring the emotions and phenomenon influencing graduation participant’s preferences for commencement exercise music: A comparison of the traditional and non-traditional mindsets” – available on Researchgate and SSRN
The inspiration for this is linked to an experience in the songwriter's past. In the courtyard of Schiller International University's Chateau de Pourtales, in Strasbourg France, the soon-to-graduate Krause stood. An overwhelming feeling came over him as the entire educational experience came together for a moment. It was all connected. That intense feeling inspired this song.
Onward hooray, it’s time to graduate
On this day we throw
Our caps up to the sky
A theory explained how
Using references to why
The pain and all the suffering
Resistance being tamed
With fears slowly surrendered
As our thinking processed change
In looking back, it’s seen
The thoughts we left behind
Gave way to a belief
In the power of the mind
As our heads were being filled
To a point of reasoning
Learning never ends with cause
The effect’s just beginning
Onward, hooray
We’ve finally reached the day
The system’s put to sleep
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
We’ll have some time to play
And bask in cabriolets
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
All’s not, if not okay
Proofreading can all wait
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
A cause to celebrate
In stages we’ll relate
It’s time to graduate
From the day we’re born
The first steps we all take
The mind’s set on a course
Of how to make the grade
We learned from summer sun
The power of degrees
The higher up they go
Affects all reasoning
As far as programs go
We learned just what it means
Each step helps us to grow
And lends to finishing
On and on life goes
Group, analyze, debate
But put it all on hold
As we pause to take the stage.
Onward, hooray
We’ve finally reached the day
The system’s put to sleep
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
We’ll have some time to play
And bask in cabriolets
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
All’s not, if not okay
Proofreading can all wait
It’s time to graduate
Onward, hooray
A cause to celebrate
In stages we’ll relate
It’s time to graduate.
All lyrics and music protected by copyright
James Allan Krause ©
ISRC CA8S420000011