Before the parade passes by

Before it all moves on, and only I'm left

Before the parade passes by

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

I'm ready to move out in front

Life without life, has no reason or rhyme left

With the rest of them

With the best of them

I wanna hold my head up high

I need a goal again

I need a drive again

I wanna feel my heart coming alive again

Before the parade passes by

Before the parade passes by

I've gotta go and taste Saturday's high life

Before the parade passes by

I've gotta 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 wanna feel my heart coming alive again

Before the parade passes by

When 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 whistles blow

And the cymbals crash

And the sparklers light the sky

I'm gonna raise the roof

I'm gonna carry on

Give me an old trombone

Give me an old baton

Before the parade passes by!