The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #102943 Message #2092718
Posted By: Rog Peek
02-Jul-07 - 05:56 PM
Thread Name: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
Subject: Lyr Add: THE PARADE'S STILL PASSING BY (H Chapin)
THE PARADE'S STILL PASSING BY (Harry Chapin)
I got the news today That you refused to play Cause you never made number one But it's not just the words It's the deeds that are heard When all is said and done You know the kings take their crowns They melt them all down Trying to get the gold out You went to hell and Even when you weren't selling You never ever sold out.
You weren't no leader You were more like a bleeder Who was trying to cry for us all You weren't no sage But your sense of outrage Sounded like a trumpet call Fifteen years ago In the old folky show You were just one voice in the crowd But now with so few singing Your voice would have been ringing Out 'bout twice as loud.
Chorus There but for fortune Say a small circle of friends Some may see the changes So few see the end The pleasures of the harbor Have come to you at last You may not be marching anymore But the parade's still going past
We're not taking the blame That we killed you You know you did that to yourself But it's kind of a shame That you played that game You were better than anyone else One shot o' your bottle Got you full throttle It's the friend that was always there But your greatest gift And the curse you lived with Was that you could always care.
Chorus
Notes This song appeared on the album 'On The Road to Kingdom Come' (Elektra 7E-1082) released in 1976. RP jul07