Pullman Porters On Parade

Baby, come outside The corner is shaking Boots on the pavement Brass in the air Do you hear it now? That drum getting closer Don’t stand at the window Come down from there Here they come down the street See them coming Hear the drums in their feet Hear them drumming My one little hon We better run to the fun They’re parading Hear the boys all calling Baby, listen Can’t you tell by the noise We are missing All the joy Come and see the big parade My honey Come and see it before it rolls away Just see those Pullman porters Pressed clean at every border Perfume bought on dimes and quarters Here they come, here they come, here they come Just see those starched up collars Hear how that captain hollers Keep time, keep time That worth is more than dollars Berths and bags Platform calls Tired hands standing tall Pullman porters on parade Pullman porters on parade Keep time Keep time Look at Mose with his hat Tossing it high Drops it once Then catches the eye Joe takes it slow But he lands every beat Crowd turns around For the drag of his feet See those shoulders bending Still they lift the room Shoes keep counting What the workday took Baby, I’m not laughing I’m learning the truth Daily weight can turn Into a marching tune Just see those Pullman porters Pressed clean at every border Perfume bought on dimes and quarters Here they come, here they come, here they come Just see those starched up collars Hear how that captain hollers Keep time, keep time That worth is more than dollars Tips in coins Names called clear Rail car rhythm Everybody near Pullman porters on parade Pullman porters on parade “Here they come down the street” “See them comin'” “Hear the drums how they beat” Do you feel it? Do you feel it? (Hey, hey) Turn and see Count with me Keep time Keep time Not small Not quiet Not tonight I kept my head down I swallowed my name I passed through rooms And carried the blame Not now Not now Not tonight I want polish on my collar I want rhythm in my knees I want room for every worker Trying hard to breathe We are more than service We are more than pay We are more than background In somebody else’s day Call our names Call them clear Make the whole block hear Keep time Keep time Step into the sound Keep time Keep time No one counts us out “Just see those Pullman porters” “Here they come, here they come, here they come” “Those Pullman porters on parade” Just see those Pullman porters Pressed clean at every border Perfume bought on dimes and quarters Here they come, here they come, here they come Just see those starched up collars Hear how that captain hollers Keep time, keep time That worth is more than dollars You and me Side by side All of us In marching time Berths and bags Platform calls Tired hands standing tall Pullman porters on parade Pullman porters on parade Call our names Call them clear Make the whole block hear Pullman porters on parade Pullman porters on parade Here they come Here they come Keep time Keep time Past the corner Past the train Still that drum keeps moving Through my chest again Pullman porters on parade Pullman porters on parade Keep time Keep time