Despite the price, despite the cost
Despite the good that we had lost
The sandlot lines were hastily drawn
And the band played on

With no regrets, without remorse
They forged ahead and stayed the course
A tumult met with one big yawn
As the band played on

Despite mistakes, despite past flaws
They clung to one preem'nent cause
Our former trust and concord gone
Yet the band played on

A giant rift, a great divide
A one-time pillar cast aside
To push a brand-new lexicon
While the band played on