I Want To See The Parade

[Verse:] 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."