Before the parade passes by
Before it goes 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