Dolly
   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
  
   [Interlude]
  
   All:
   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
  
   Dolly:
   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!