From the “Cotton Club Revue”, 1931
Words by Ted Koehler
Music by Harold Arlen
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I walk every step o’ the mile
And think it was really worthwhile
To see a parade come marching down the line
I don’t know a son-of-a-gun
Who wouldn’t be willing to run
To see a parade come marching down the line
Perhaps I’m what you’d call a patriot
But one thing’s certain, whether I am or not
Refrain
I love a parade, the tramping of feet
I love ever beat I hear of a drum
I love a parade, when I hear a band
I just wanna stand and cheer as they come
That rat-a-tat-tat! The blare of a horn
That rat-a-tat-tat! A bright uniform
The sight of a drill will give me a thrill
I thrill at the skill of anything military
I love a parade, a handful of vets
A line of cadets or any brigade
For I love a parade
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: