In memory of a certain RSM
The band was already playing
a marching song
and officers, non-commissioned ranks
and troops spotless
in berets, browns and shining boots
marched and halted in perfect unison
on the parade ground.
With a flat hat like a chauffeur,
or maybe like the baggage man
at the hotel
with visor just above his eyes,
dressed in step outs
he drove the Mercedes Benz
through the gate
to the parking aria
next to the parade grounds
bringing it to a elegant halt,
jumped out and walked
right to the back door
bended double and opened it
to let a lady and younger woman out.
Then with pace stick
swinging to and fro
on he came like the leader
of the band
but in control
of the whole parade,
set over officers outranking him
waving the stick in his hand,
walking up and down
like a huge red faced clown.
[RSM = Regimental Sergeant-Major.]
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Parantha’s Dream
He marched up and down
with his string tied tin.
Keeping in time with the
beat and marching.
The twelve year old boy
Parantha Parapanjani
yearned to be a drummer
in the Royal Indian Army.
Using two wooden sticks
and a biscuit tin so old,
he imitated the drummers
and their drum rolls.
He marched up and down
with his string tied tin.
Keeping in time with the
beat and marching.
A thief stole his drum
leaving him with nothing to play,
but his father’s old tin leg,
stepped in to save the day.
From a string around his neck,
it swung about his waist,
as he practiced with the band
outside the military gates.
He marched up and down
with his string tied tin.
Keeping in time with the
beat and marching.
One day a limping man and boy
walked down the busy street,
as Parantha drummed up
a leg moving kind of beat.
The regimental sergeant major
recognised the sound,
and saw the leg being played,
as it made its way to town.
So impressed was the sergeant
he enlisted the boy in the band.
A new side-drum he was given
and a stick for each hand.
He marched up and down
with his Indian army band,
so proud to be a drummer,
with a stick in each hand.
poem by Orlando Belo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nino
Nino, walking around on sunday
Nino, just one more kid in l.a.
With a hubcap and a stick in his hand
In his own parade, leading the band
His head in the sky, his feet nearly touching the sand
Nino, three thousand miles away
Nino, la familia stares at the bay
Turning off sunset boulevard
Playing the fence around somebodys yard
Thinking of home and keeping tumbao on the hood of a car
Nino, people will know you one day
Nino, theyre going to call you el rey
Nino de la playa y la ciudad
Nino de las calles y la verdad
El ritmo de tu pueblo se siente aqui
Al canto de la tierra que vive en ti
La magia de tu mano en el tambor
Retumba aqui con alma y con sabor
Y al toque de campanas al sonar
Los angeles te guardan desde el mar
(child of the beach and the city
Child of the streets and of the truth
The rhythm of your people is felt here
To the song of the country that lives in you
The magic of your hand on the drum
Resonates here with soul and good feeling
And at the strike of bells as they ring
The angels guard you from the sea)
With a hubcap and a stick in his hand
In his own parade, leading the band
His head in the sky, his feet nearly touching the sand of the homeland
Nino, walking around in l.a.
Nino, this will be your town one day
song performed by by Jackson Browne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Band
Hey, there! Listen awhile! Listen awhile, and come.
Down in the street there are marching feet, and I hear the beat of a drum.
Bim! Boom!! Out of the room! Pick up your hat and fly!
Isn't it grand? The band! The band! The band is marching by!
Oh, the clarinet is the finest yet, and the uniforms are gay.
Tah, rah! We don't go home -
Oom, pah! We won't go home -
Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home when the band begins to play.
Oh, see them swinging along, swinging along the street!
Left, right! buttons so bright, jackets and caps so neat.
Ho, the Fire Brigade, or a dress parade of the Soldier-men is grand;
But everyone, for regular fun, wants a Big-Brass-Band.
The slide-trombone is a joy alone, and the drummer! He's a treat!
So, Rackety-rumph! We don't go home -
Boom, Bumph! We won't go home -
Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home while the band is in the street.
Tooral-ooral, Oom-pah!
The band is in the street!
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Parade
Life is like a parade,
There are two kinds of people,
The ones participating in the parade,
and the ones looking at the parade.
The people in the parade are the successful people,
the hardworking people, the ones who are trying to make a difference in the world,
Even though doors keep slamming in their face they never give up,
And by the side of the parade are the lazy ones, the people who are afraid to take risk,
The backstabbers, the ones who just sit and criticized,
the ones who dream and hope and take no action
I am in the parade, I wonder where you at.
poem by Jean Cherubin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Too Far From Auntie's Gaze
Auntie said
don't go
too far away
with the mutt
I need to know
where you are
and so you
and the mutt
went down
the metal stairway
and off
into the barrack grounds
at Aldershot
keeping close
to the places
that your aunt
could see you from
and you could hear
soldiers marching
on the parade ground
and the sergeants
bellowing their orders
to the marching troops
and you sensed
the cold air
and frost
on the ground
as you walked
and the mutt sniffed
the earth
and you said
come on mutt
let's go for a run
and off you went
and the mutt followed
and overtook you
its tail wagging
its eyes large
and brown
like pools of chocolate
and lucid like mud
and you raced him
as far as you could
then you had to stop
for breath
and the mutt
stopped too
and looked back at you
its tongue hanging
from the corner
of its mouth
and you looked over
to where your aunt lived
and realised
she wouldn't
be able to see you
from where you were
and the dog didn't care
and the air
was chilling
your lungs
and your tongue hung
in the corner
of your little boy mouth
and the soldiers marched
and marched
and you stood watching
bent over
with your hands
on your knees
and big black birds
called out from the trees.
poem by Terry Collett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Christopher Tracey's Parade
Everyone come behold Christopher Tracy's Parade
The show will proceed,
unless it should rain strawberry lemonade
Hopefully, that will not occur;
the man above has been paid
Give what you can,
all you can stand,
and all of your life will be made
Everyone should come and dig
Christopher Tracy's piano
The chord strikes,
the devil no like,
so he runs 2 his evil car
Everyone come behold Christopher Tracy's Parade
Goodness will guide us if love is inside us
Christopher Tracy's Parade (Christopher Tracy's Parade)
Christopher Tracy's Parade (Christopher Tracy's Parade)
Christopher Tracy's Parade
song performed by by Prince
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Freak Parade
I never was bothered by bad dreams
They never made me afraid
But then I never did dream Id wake up
And find me in the freak parade.
I guess I had to find out the hard way
I shouldnt have been so proud
cause here Im the main attraction
Of every giggle in the crowd.
So I gotta
Take my place in the freak parade
See my face in the freak parade.
In a world full of freaks
You can creep, you can crawl
But the worlds biggest freak
Is the one with no balls.
You know you shouldnt poke fun at strangers
Or pity their case at all
cause there are lots of friends and lovers
That take it kind of personal.
You might appreciate our position
Dont laugh at our freaky ways
You might find yourself tomorrow
Marching in the freak parade.
You better
Take your place in the freak parade
See your face in the freak parade
Get of the sidewalk!
song performed by by Utopia
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No New Horizons Catches His Eyes
No new horizons catch his blue eyes
when he gets the command for his freedom,
just the wide sky stretches out far above
where the sun blazes yellow in the blue
and he in boots, battledress and beret
gives some officers a few last handshakes,
some others, now as civilians loudly cheer
are joyous, quite happy and with long steps
he walks over the dusty parade ground,
taking a short cut up to the main gate,
while shots ring at the big shooting course
as if he is escaping, tired of killing,
he wants to get away to lead a new life,
but still is not really free from the army.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Danny Deever
"What are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-on-Parade.
"To turn you out, to turn you out", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said Files-on-Parade.
"I'm dreadin' what I've got to watch", the Colour-Sergeant said.
For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can hear the Dead March play,
The regiment's in 'ollow square -- they're hangin' him to-day;
They've taken of his buttons off an' cut his stripes away,
An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
"What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's bitter cold, it's bitter cold", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What makes that front-rank man fall down?" said Files-on-Parade.
"A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun", the Colour-Sergeant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are marchin' of 'im round,
They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin on the ground;
An' 'e'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneakin' shootin' hound --
O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'!
"'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"I've drunk 'is beer a score o' times", said Files-on-Parade.
"'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone", the Colour-Sergeant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, you must mark 'im to 'is place,
For 'e shot a comrade sleepin' -- you must look 'im in the face;
Nine 'undred of 'is county an' the regiment's disgrace,
While they're hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
"What's that so black agin' the sun?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny fightin' 'ard for life", the Colour-Sergeant said.
"What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said Files-on-Parade.
"It's Danny's soul that's passin' now", the Colour-Sergeant said.
For they're done with Danny Deever, you can 'ear the quickstep play,
The regiment's in column, an' they're marchin' us away;
Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an' they'll want their beer to-day,
After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.
poem by Rudyard Kipling
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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One More Parade
Hup, two, three, four, marching down the street
Rollin of the drums and the tramping of the feet
General salutes and the mothers wave and weep
Here comes the big parade
Dont be afraid, prices paid
One more parade
So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willing to go and die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Dont be ashamed, light the flame
One more parade
Listen for the sound and listen for the noise
Listen for the thunder of the marching boys
A few years ago their guns were only toys
Here comes the big parade
Dont be afraid, prices paid
One more parade
So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willing to go and die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Dont be ashamed, light the flame
One more parade
Medals on their coats and guns in their hands
Trained to kill as theyre trained to stand
Ten thousand ears need only one command
Here comes the big parade
Dont be afraid, prices paid
Dont be ashamed, wars a game
Worlds in flames, so start the parade
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One Man Parade
Do believe Im gonna clap my hands
Think I might tap my feet
Put together a one man band
Take a walk on down the street
Have a one man parade
Nobody needs to know
cause Im right good of holding on to secrets
And dont believe they show
All I want is a little dog
To be walking at my right hand
Taking a breeze just as free as you please
Maybe checking out occasional garbage cans
Talking bout a one dog, yall
Nobodys friend but mine
Hey now, you can say hes looking kind of funky
But I do believe it suits me just fine
We were off road again
A was wondering what to do
Ah, but honalei,
It was pouring down rain
Baby she had the low down blues
Hey now, I was looking for my walking cane
Tying on my highway shoes
Thinking bout a one man parade, yall
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody
Im right good at holding on, holding on, holding on
Honalei, its raining
Honalei, (sure nuf) its raining (listen here)
Honalei (its rainin)
Honalei (muddy waters)
Talking bout a one man parade, yall
Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody
Im right good at holding on, holding on, holding on
La, la, la
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Robot Parade
In a future time
Children will work together
To build a giant cyborg.
Robot Parade.
Robot Parade.
Wave the flags that
The robots made.
Robot Parade.
Robot Parade.
Robots obey what
The children say.
There's electric cars,
There's electric trains,
Here comes a robot with
Elecrtric brains.
Robot Parade.
Robot Parade.
Wave the flags that
The robots made.
Robot Parade.
Robot Parade.
Robots obey what
The children say.
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Paradise Of Chaos
We march like fools in a parade of chaos.
We march like fools in a parade of chaos.
Led by our enemies.
While we sing their praises.
Led by our enemies.
While we kiss their hands.
The morning rained fire.
Let the heavens retire.
Over the eyes of the blind.
And the vioces of spoiled children.
True leadersare gone.
We turned our back too many times.
And bit the hand of the provider.
Chaos kills us.
Chaos.
song performed by by Zao from Parade Of Chaos
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Patriot
Lining the street an anxious throng.
Dads moms and younger kids.
At last the parade!
Stars and stripes and marching bands.
Everyone's spirits high.
Happily cheering waving
at every grand display.
As in perfect step each passes by.
Almost without notice
an older gentleman stands.
Sparkling eyes behind spectacles.
Leaning on his cane he watches.
The stirring music coaxes forth
a shadow of a smile a soft sigh.
The sigh hinting of memories
long ago burried forgotten not.
As the color guard draws near
the elder one becomes
with obvious painfilled effort.
Ramrod straight.
The passing flag he and others
fought so gallantly for.
Brought without hesitation
a labored yet smart salute.
Imagination maybe but.
The moment Old Glory passed
as if in recognition fluttered.
Saluting one from times gone by.
Now parade and crowd have gone.
Alone the old warrior walks it seems.
Not alone for spirits of comrades
march silently forever at his side.
poem by Kurt Hearth
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Beatles Medley
Were sergeant peppers lonely hearts club band
Were sorry but its time to go
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band
We hope you did enjoy the show
Sergeant peppers lonely, sergeant peppers lonely
Sergeant peppers lonely hearts club band...
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band!
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band!
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band!
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band!
We were talking about the space between our song!
Aint nothing you can do that cant be done!
Its been a hard days night, I should be sleeping like a log!
Help! I need somebody!
Help!
Shes a big teaser!
She took me half the way there!
Lady madonna, baby at your breast!
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged!
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged!
She loves you yeah yeah yeah!
She loves you yeah yeah yeah!
She loves you yeah yeah yeah!
She loves you yeah!
Sergeant peppers one and only lonely hearts club band!
Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
Nah nah nah!
Hey jude!
Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
Nah nah nah!
Hey jude!
Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
Nah nah nah!
Hey jude!
Dah dah dah dah dah dah!
Dah dah dah!
Hey jude!
Dah dah dah dah dah dah!
Dah dah dah!
Hey jude!
Dah dah dah dah dah dah!
Dah dah dah!
Hey jude!
Hey jude!
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lemon Parade
I wish I'd seen you as a little girl
Without your armor to fend off the world
I would have kept you underneath my wing
I would protect you from everything
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Did the boys all tease you when they had
the chance
Always left standing when it came time
to dance
Did you hide behind your books girl
Did you find your secret friends
Always I'll want you
Always 'till the end
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl
song performed by by Tonic from Lemon Parade
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Puckering Pickle Parade!
In a place called Pizanna,
Miss Lana-Leeanna
Makes a lip-locking lemonade!
But the bittersweet bounty
Of Cucumber County
Is the Puckering Pickle Parade! ! !
A tart and tangy tango,
Marsh moon like a mango,
As vinegar vapors invade...
Boy, the bittersweet bounty
Of Cucumber County
Is the Puckering Pickle Parade! ! !
So befriend and embellish,
Come garnish and relish,
The gherkins of Gooseberry Glade!
It's the pride and pure power,
(The sweet and the sour)
Of the Puckering Pickle Parade!
The Puckering Pickle Parade...
The Puckering Pickle Parade...
Pulp times are had...
Dill friends are made...
At the Puckering Pickle...
Pick three for a nickel...
The Puckering Pickle Parade! ! !
When it's one-fourteen in the shade...
Oh the bittersweet bounty
Of Cucumber County
Is the Puckering Pickle Parade! ! !
From the new book 'The Puckering Pickle Parade: And Other Read Aloud Poems4Kids' by Todd St. Pierre
See www.LouisianaBoy.com
poem by ToddMichael St. Pierre
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Easter Parade
In your easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
Youll be the grandest lady in the easter parade.
Ill be all in clover and when they look you over,
Ill be the proudest fellow in the easter parade.
On the avenue, fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us,
And youll find that youre in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your easter bonnet,
And of the girl Im taking to the easter parade.
song performed by by Irving Berlin
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Children On Parade
All the girls and boys have gone away
They never really had much to say
They took off all their clothes and their shoes
Politely asked to be excused
Theyre the children on parade
They have a secret they can share
Theyre the children on parade
And nobody knows
And nobody knows
All the broken toys lie on the floor
Theres no more laughter from down the hall
Mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall
Whatever could have happened to them all
Theyre the children on parade
They have a secret that they share
Theyre the children on parade
And nobody knows
And nobody knows
All across the world just yesterday
All the boys and girls just went away
They left without their clothes or their shoes
Id love to someday hear all the news
About the children on parade
And all the secrets that they share
Now theyre the children on parade
And nobody knows...
song performed by by Men At Work
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Navy Bean
A navy bean is bigger than it seems put it on and don't ask what it means
Parade around
Cellophane is thicker than it seems put it on and don't ask what it means
Parade around
Shaving cream is thicker than it seems shave 'em off and don't ask what it means
Parade around
An angel wing is caught up in the tree if you know what's best get the hell away from me!
Parade around
Oh you little navy bean oh you're caught up in the tree
Navy bean
song performed by by Tracy Bonham from The Burdens Of Being Upright
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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