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