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

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."