Out Of The Cradle
by Rush

Album: Vapor Trails (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was inspired by the Walt Whitman (1819–1892) poem called Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking, which came out around 1858. This poem is about loss and love and life then death, and the rhythm that is given to life from the beginning that continues throughout. It is a grand and spectacular poem!
  • The "sunbeam" that illuminated a great deal of Whitman's poetry was Music. It was one of the major sources of his inspiration. Many of his four hundred poems contain musical terms, names of instruments, and names of composers. He insisted that music was "greater than wealth, greater than buildings, ships, religions, paintings."
  • When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed and O Captain! My Captain! (1866) are two of Whitman's more famous poems. A poet who was ardently singing on life and himself, Whitman is today claimed as one of the few truly great American men of letters. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington, for all above

Comments: 1

  • John from Asheville, NcPerfect bookend to the opening with One Little Victory. Great lyrics here..."it's not a race, it's a journey." Consistently building pace that becomes relentless. Nice album closer. Endlessly rocking...indeed.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.