Lyrics I Want To See The Parade - Tom T. Hall

I Want To See The Parade

Hold me up, I want to see the parade
There was a demonstration in our town
Quiet but very tense
I’ve always been a bit nosy
So I guess that’s the reason I went
There were people carrying signs that said
«We want equality now.»
And I thought to myself
«Boy, look at that will you
Look what the law allows.»
A little girl and her mother were standing up next to the curb
The little girl said
«Mommy, I can’t see the parade»
And it happened that I heard
The woman who was with the little girl was small
And when she turned and smiled
I thought I’d do them a favor
So I offered to hold the child
When I held the little girl in my arms
I was glad of the offer I’d made
She said, «Thank you, mister
For holding me up;
I wanted to see the parade.»
Then she asked me a question, and it took me by surprise
She said, «Mister, why does my daddy hate all those people going by?»
I said, «Well you know they’re not the same--but listen to me»
And I noticed that the child was blind
So I looked around for an answer;
it was pretty hard to find
So I set her down by her mama’s side
And I patted her on the head
And that night as I sat in my own little room
I thought of the words she said
And that night, I took a good look at myself
And this is the prayer I prayed
I said, «Lord, I want you to hold me up
'cause I want to see the parade.»