Song – Start The Parade

Hup, two, three, four, marchin’ down the street
To the rollin’ of the drums and the tramplin’ of the feet
General salutes while the mothers wave and weep
Here comes the big parade
Don’t be afraid, price is paid
Start the parade

So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willin’ to go an’ die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Don’t be ashamed, light the flame
Start the parade

Listen for the sound and listen for the noise
Listen to the thunder of the marching boys
A few years ago their guns were only toys
Here comes the big parade
Don’t be afraid, price is paid
Start the parade

So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willin’ to go an’ die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Don’t be ashamed, light the flame
Start the parade

Medals on their coats and guns in their hands
Trained to kill as they’re trained to stand
Ten thousand ears need only one command
Here comes the big parade
Don’t be afraid, price is paid
Start the parade

So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willin’ to go an’ die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Don’t be ashamed, light the flame
Start the parade

Cold hard stares on faces so proud
Kisses from the girls and cheers from the crowd
Widows from the last war cryin’ in their shrouds
Here comes the big parade
Don’t be afraid, price is paid
Don’t be ashamed, war’s a game
The world’s in flames
So start the parade

Words & music by Bob Gibson and Phil Ochs
© Robert Josiah / Almo Music