Lyricist : Jerry Herman

Composer : Jerry Herman

[DOLLY]

Before the parade passes by

I've gotta get in step while there's still time left

Before the parade passes by

[IRENE, spoken] Mrs. Levi, come along! Cornelius is taking us down to see the Fourteenth Street parade. Everybody will be marching!

[DOLLY, spoken] Why, Irene, you're crying!

[IRENE, spoken] Oh, Dolly. The world is full of wonderful things. Come with us, Dolly

[DOLLY, spoken] I will, Irene. I will!

Before the parade passes by

I'm gonna go and taste Saturday's high life

Before the parade passes by

I'm gonna get some life back into my life

I'm ready to move out in front

I've had enough of just passing by life

With the rest of them

With the best of them

I can hold my head up high

For I've got a goal again

I've got a drive again

I'm gonna feel my heart coming alive again

Before the parade passes by

Look at that crowd up ahead

Listen and hear that brass harmony growing

Look at that crowd up ahead

Pardon me if my old spirit is showing

All of those lights over there

Seem to be telling me where I'm going

When the whistle blows

And the cymbals crash

And the sparklers light the sky

I'm gonna raise the roof

I'm gonna to carry on

Give me an old trombone

Give me an old baton

Before the parade passes by

[COMPANY]

Before the parade passes by

Listen and hear that brass harmony growing

When the parade passes by

Pardon me if my old spirit is showing

All of those lights over there

Seem to be telling me where I'm going

When the whistle blows

And the symbols crash

And the sparklers light the sky

I'm gonna raise the roof

I'm gonna to carry on

Give me an old trombone

Give me an old baton

Before the parade passes by

[DOLLY]

I'm gonna raise the roof

I'm gonna to carry on

Give me an old trombone

Give me an old baton

[DOLLY & COMPANY] Before the parade passes by!