Before the parade passes by
I'm gonna get in step while there's still time left
Before the parade passes by

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

Why, Irene, you're crying

Oh, Dolly, the world is full of wonderful things
Come with us, Dolly

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 going to 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 to go again
I've got to drive again
I've got to feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by

Look at the crowd up ahead
Listen and hear that brass harmony growing
Look at the crowd up ahead
Pardon me if my old spirit is showing
All of those lights over there
Seems to be telling me where I'm going

When the whistles blow
And the cymbals crash
And the sparklers light the sky
I'm going to raise the roof
I'm going to carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by

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
Seems to be telling me where I'm going

When the whistles blow
And the cymbals crash
And the sparklers light the sky
I'm going to raise the roof
I'm going to carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by

I'm going to raise the roof
I'm going to carry on
Give me an old trombone
Give me an old baton
Before the parade passes by