I Want To See The Parade by Tom T. Hall

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."