Listen to the strain
    

It plays once more for us,
There it is again,
The past in store for us.
Wake
In memory some forgotten song,
To break
The rhythm — driving us along
And make
Harmony again a last encore for us…
Play, orchestra, play
Play something light and sweet and gay,
For we must have music,
We must have music
To drive our fears away.
While our illusions swiftly fade for us
Let’s have an orchestra score
In the confusions
The ears have made for us,
Serenade for us,
Just once more.
Life needn’t be grey,
Although it’s changing day by day,
Though a few old dreams may decay,
Play, orchestra, play.