Intro (Band Warm-Up – Strut Into Swing) (piano: stride rhythm) (trumpets blare in rhythm) (trombone: gliss up into note) (bass: walking line) Lead (spoken, sly grin): Well, now, gather ‘round, children — I got a tale to tell, ‘Bout some prophets who walked with the Lord real well! They didn’t sway with the crowd, didn’t follow the way — They said “Do what’s right!” and the people said, “Okay!” (band hits the groove — drums on snare shuffle, horns in time) Verse 1 (Adam & Noah Swing Combo – Big Band Stride) Lead (singing, jazzy phrasing): Adam was a prophet, first one that we know, Down in the garden, helped the whole world grow! Noah was a prophet, he preached the word — Built himself a boat when nobody heard! Choir (call & response): Follow the prophet! (Yeah!) Follow the prophet! (Say what?) Follow the prophet — don’t go astray! Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, Follow the prophet — he knows the way! (horns: punchy riff — (trumpets blare in rhythm) Verse 2 (Moses & Jonah Shuffle – Call and Answer Groove) Lead: Moses was a prophet, stood tall and strong, Led the children of Israel all the way home! Jonah tried to run, but he couldn’t get far — The Lord found him swimmin’ where the big fish are! Choir: Follow the prophet! (Hey!) Follow the prophet! (That’s right!) Follow the prophet — don’t go astray! Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, Follow the prophet — he knows the way! (clarinet solo with trombone slides and handclaps) Bridge (Cab Calloway–Style Scat Section) Lead (playful, half-preach half-scat): Now, they said “Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho!” Choir: Follow the prophet, don’t say no! Lead: Said “Ho-de-ho-de-ho-de-hay!” Choir: Follow the prophet every day! Lead: Said “Skiddly-bop, badda-bop, don’t go astray!” Choir: Follow the prophet — he knows the way! (band punches accent hits between every line, brass blares in sync) Verse 3 (Modern Day Groove – Preacher Energy) Lead: Now the world’s confused, you see it on the news, Everybody talkin’ like they’re born to lose! But if you want the truth, don’t walk away — You better follow the prophet, he knows the way! Choir (big gospel harmonies): Follow the prophet! (That’s right!) Follow the prophet! (Say what?) Follow the prophet — don’t go astray! Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, Follow the prophet — he knows the way! (band modulates up a half step — horns brighten) Instrumental Break (Full Swing Party) (trumpets blare in rhythm) (clarinet: rolling arpeggio run) (trombone: wah-wah response) (piano: quick stride roll) (drums: swing hits on 2 & 4) (band leader scat riff call) Lead (scatting): “Ba-da-ba-ba-da, ba-da-da-da-day!” Choir: Follow the prophet — he knows the way! Final Chorus (Reprise – Big Band Revival) Lead (calling): Come on now, Adam, Noah, Moses too! Choir: Follow the prophet — He’ll see you through! Lead: Daniel in the lion’s den prayed that day, Choir: Follow the prophet — don’t go astray! (band builds up — handclaps, trombone slides, horns swinging) All voices (joyful and loud): Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet! Follow the prophet — don’t go astray! Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, Follow the prophet — he knows the way! (final brass hit — (trumpets blare in rhythm)) Lead (spoken over the last chord): And that’s the gospel swing, children — follow His way! (band hits big E♭6 chord with cymbal roll)
