A Graduation Anthem For Moving On

Ever since folk singer Tom Rush recorded his version of Murray McLauchlan's "Child's Song" about a young man leaving home, it's become not only a concert staple for Rush but also a part of many graduation ceremonies.

Rush tells Here & Now's Robin Young that when he first heard the song it bowled him over.

"I knew that I had to sing it but I couldn't get through it from top to bottom for about six months," he said. "I had to toughen up so that I didn't burst into tears...somewhere around the third verse."

Rush says after more than forty years, "Child's Song" is still one of his favorites of all time. He gave us a performance last May and we revisit that conversation.

This segment originally broadcast in May of 2011.