One day, when I lived in Peekskill NY, quite early in the morning I heard a strange yet pleasing sound of a Marching Band. Evidently band practice was first period at the high school a couple of blocks away and they were out in the neighborhood practicing their marching. I don’t know if you have ever tried to chew gum and walk at the same time but I’ve been in a marching band and it’s HARD to play the actual correct notes AND walk at the same time in step…
See them all attempting to play and walk at the same time and getting their steps out of sync was so funny and joyful and poignant that of course. I had to write a song. And this is it. Probably one of my most joyful, exuberant songs.
Thanks for listening!
Please click the arrow to play:
Brand New Polka
Song # 94 | September 1987 | CD: tbd
[Tuning: EABEBE]
I been told, streets of heaven
Paved with platinum, paved with gold
Now that’s fine with me but, I don’t care either,
The street I live on is fine with me.
Can you see me trembling? Can you hear me singing?
Can you feel the earth turn under us?
Can you catch the rhythm of the shooting starlight?
I feel so full that I could bust!!
Refrain:
And a mile from my house the sun rises
To the tune of a marching band
And the children on the street they stop in their play
And laugh till they cannot stand.
Oh, Listen to me, you glancing children
Can you hear, can you hear the piper’s call?
We are just here for a few short moments
Do not allow your life to stall
Go stand in the ocean, feel her hands upon you
Let the waves, let the waves roll over you
If you stand there stiffly, I be you a dollar
You will be lost in the under tow
Refrain:
I feel like dancing to the hokey pokey
I feel like dancing in the rain
I feel like dancing in my three piece suit now
I feel like dancing again and agin.
I feel like dancing to this strange new polka
I feel like dancing till I drop
But I will rise up one more time and
This time I refuse to stop!
Refrain:
Copyright 1987-2015 by mark Shepard. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit – Copyright: raecher / 123RF Stock Photo
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