As we walked on stage, the crowd roared
Maybe it’s the way we deal with our
Learn, play, and repeat lifestyle of being championship musicians
“Man, I didn’t know they could make instruments out of pure gold
Really? Your director picked these out. These and the reeds I have.”
Yes, we are champions
We quietly judge our competition through rigid expressions
And put our confident eyes on display for everyone to see

Our director snapped us to attention with an order of scores and songs
Me, the nerd, on saxophone, an atheist was on violin,
And a dedicated failure on drums
Outcasts always make the most beautiful music
And on that day, we matched the weather
South Louisiana summers are no place for tuxes
But there we were, crying a little on a humid Sunday­­­

We led the show
Albanian Dance
Instruments that had just been baptized
In split lips, spit, and tears in the previous years
Our director spoke of victory and determination
I stood in disbelief
Unable to believe how much hard work truly pays off
Fathoming how brilliant it was to choose
Band practice over a social life
We were given the signal to play
Egmont Overture which we would all play as perfect as a complete puzzle
But first we had to get focused along with our director

Once we stepped off stage,
We lightened up the mood with a jazzy tune
Music is the only talent we have up our black sleeves
And a stage is often the only place we can show it
They know this talent is true, so they keep us playing

The audience praised us afterwards
“We always thought y’all deserved a trophy”
Better late than never, we said
I believe that anyone can do what they put their mind to
But I once didn’t… we didn’t
And if this is only a dream, I hope I never wake up
I hope we never forget this 2nd line tune,
Which we have sweated and cried over
This song marks the victory
And most importantly, the tradition of a winning culture