Wheel Inside the Wheel

The parade of souls is marching across the sky

Their heat and their light bathed in blue as they march by

The all stars play "When the Saints Go Marching In"

A second line forms and they wave white hankies in the wind

Satchmo takes a solo, and he flashes his million dollar smile

Marie Laveau promenades with Oscar Wilde

Big Funky Stella twirls her little red umbrella to the beat

As the soul parade winds its way down Eternity Street

Souls ain't born, souls don't die

Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky

So ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel

And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

Mardi Gras Indians chant in the streets at sundown

Spyboy meets Spyboy, and Big Chief meets Big Chief uptown

They circle and sway in their rainbow-colored feathers and beads

They prance like peacocks, children of slavery freed

Souls ain't born, souls don't die

Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky

Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel

Roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

The Krewe of the Crossbones parades in the midnight sun

They march through fire and come out beating homemade drums

While the French quarter queens in their high-heeled drag disguise

Sing "Over the Rainbow" 'til Judy Garland quivers and sighs

Souls ain't born, souls don't die

Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky

Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel

And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

Flambeau dancers light the walkway to Jean Pierre's

There's a party there tonight, all the girls are gonna be there

Sippin' wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talkin' trash

It's a red carpet, black tie, all night celestial bash

Souls ain't born, souls don't die

Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky

Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel

And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

I said roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

Yeah, roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel