Words & Melody:  Phil Ochs, 1965?
Arranged:  Tom Bridges 1998

Forty years on, and tragically as relevant as ever.

Hup, two, three, four, marching down the street
Rolling of the drums and the tramping of the feet
Generals salute and mothers wave and weep

Here comes the big parade
Don't be afraid
The price is paid
One more parade

So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willing to 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
One more parade

Listen for the sound and listen for the noise
Listen for the thunder of the marching boys
A few years ago their guns were only toys

Medals on their coats and guns in their hands
All trained to kill as they're trained to stand
Ten thousand ears need only one command

Cold hard stares on faces so proud
Kisses from the girls and cheers from the crowd
And the widows from the last war cry into their shroud

Here comes the big parade
Don't be afraid
The price is paid
Don't be ashamed
War’s a game
World in flames
So start the parade!<