As a boy I had a gig with a travelin' show
Way back in '63
We did a little pickin' for the soldier boys
Of General Bobby Lee

But when we got to Pennsylvania,
I knew there'd be a change
We caught up with some boys from Georgia
And I heard one of them say

Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play

Later on I had a job pouring gin and rum
On the grand queen of the sea
We set out on our first transatlantic voyage
Headed for New York City

But when I felt that lady shudder
I knew there'd be a change
I saw the captain grab the first mate
And I thought I heard him say

Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play

In the Restaurant at the End of the Universe
In the year 3010
I was listenin' to the Good Old Interstellar Boys
Playin' "Let It Be" again

But when I heard the trumpet sounding
I knew there'd be a change
A prophet wearin' robes appeared before us
And he looked at me and said

Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play

Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
Just let the music play


Lyrics submitted by urbabikaty

Don't Tell the Band Lyrics as written by Hermann Bell

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Don't Tell The Band song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    In my personal opinion, Michael Houser found out he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He didn't tell the band for a while because he wanted to keep playing music for a little while longer, before burdening everyone's mind

    (with replacement, future career etc.)

    I could be wrong.

    I was in 8th grade when I got into panic. I'm 22 now. As I come of age, I realize what they're saying (at least from my perspective) we all see things differently.

    bkabbotton May 14, 2010   Link

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