Lyrics: Jerry Herman
Music: 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!