A popular song from 1923.
Words by Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Sheet music provided by Laurence Rubenstein:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Life is just a big parade
You’ve got to follow the band
Father Time’s the leader and he sets the metre
With a big baton in his hand
Some are always in the lead
And others dragging along
And if you find that you’re behind
I can tell you just what’s wrong
Chorus
You’ve got to wake up, you’ve got to wake up
You’ve got to wake up and change your step
You’ve got to shake up, you’ve got to shake up
You’ve got to shake up and get some pep
Take your habits and adjust ’em
To the very latest custom
Get out of the rut, out of the rut
Or you’ll be deader than old King Tut
You’ve got to keep up, you’ve got to keep up
You’ve got to keep up a snappy pace
They’re goin’ to creep up, they’re goin’ to creep up
They’re goin’ to creep up and take your place
Don’t wait too late or you’ll be losing your rep
You’ve got to speed up and shake your feet up
Come on and change your step
- Styles are changing ev’ry day
And if you want to succeed
Take your stuff and change it, simply rearrange it
Add a dash of pepper and speed
Don’t be one of those who won’t
Try anything that is new
If you are wise, you’ll realize
Here’s a real hot tip for you
Sung here by Fred Feild: