Just Like It Was Before

Corey Cott , Mary Callanan, Kevyn Morrow, Jonathan Shew , Bandstand Ensemble

Hey! Rico! This is it!
Hey Novitski. Novitski. Nova!
There is a train.There is a train, it leaves the station at a quarter after five.
Come on.

And it′s direct.

That's right! From union terminal. Right there at public square.

A quarter after five.

Alright, and where does it arrive? Hey! Morris! I need that cover.
Rico, I need you brother. Novitski. Grenade, on my go. Go!

GET OUT!

Cleveland′s WTAM radio with a special song to celebrate our victory!

The boys are coming home, the flags are flying high.
And mom has baked her special apple pie.
You hug your girl when you walk through that door.
Before you know it, it'll be just like it was before.

The band is tuning up, to play your favorite song.
So like you used to, come and sing along.
And there are endless carefree days in store.
Before you know it, it'll be just like it was, it′ll be just like it was,
It′ll be just like it was before.

Finally home and finally safe and finally free. Soon it will be

Ah, ah, ah. Soon it will be.

Just like it was before.

It's like they popped a cork, the clubs are full again.
With all the good time girls and service men.
So grab your sweetheart tight and take the floor,
Before you know it it′ll be just like it was before.

Good lord it's Donny Novitski, how long you been back soldier.

Couple days. Place looks terrific, Al.

How bout my house band, huh?

You need me up there on keys.

A pal of mine Is looking for an accordion player for a wedding, you still do that?

A gig′s a gig.

I'll tell him. Something will turn up. The cream always rises to the top, kid.

All these swanky clubs. I owned this scene. I played every one. At 17.

It′s been far too long.
It's good to have you back.
Are ya gonna run with me?

The life we left has been here waiting,
Isn't that worth celebrating.

Private First Class, Donald Novitski? Donald Novitski, Please!
Before you know it!
Here.
Fill these out please, both sides on that one.
Signature there, there and there. Back to me when you′re done?
Yes ma′am.

It'll be just like it was before.

What division?
Thirty seventh.
Was that uh. Solomon Islands?
Yeah, boganville.
Shit that must′ve been holy hell.
Something like that.
When'd you get back?
Couple weeks ago.
You doing cash or college?
I need the cash.
Find something quick, pal. I′ve been to three funerals this month.
Nobody's talking about it because those guys came back fine a while ago.
What happened?
They wanted a way to make it stop. Find something quick.
Corporal Biding? John biding?
It′ll be just like it was before.
Signature there, there and there.
I'd like a good night's sleep.
Our roster′s pretty full. And our patrons come to hear the standards, Not original tunes.
Is that too much to ask?
My pal loved you at the wedding. I can toss a few more your way.
I need a shot of whiskey, all′s I got's an empty flask.

Before you know it, it′ll be just like it was before.
Get out!!

We're on a winning streak, and it′ll stay that way. We're on an everlasting holiday.
And any bad news you can just ignore. Before you know it.

I′ll take the slow nights.

We're on winning streak.

But see we just got a new headliner.

And it will stay that way.

Just 18 years old, baby faced. The gals love him.

We're on an everlasting holiday.

I′m sure I was playing circles around him when I was 18.

Yeah well, you′re not 18 now are ya?

And any bad news you can just ignore.

Some of us had a little service to take care of. Maybe you saw something in the papers.

Before you know it.

Look, we're all thankful for your service but I got nothing for you here. (Ah, ah. Ah, ah. Ah, ah.)

Come on, i′m- Im dying here. The whole town's giving me the same run around.
The only thing I live for is to play.
If I can′t play, whats the use of me making it back home.

That's a bit dramatic,
You wanna try out for the community theatre guild, theyre down the block.

Oh, it′ll be just like it was.
Oh, it'll be just like it was.
Oh, it'll be just like it was.

That′s what they tell me. Why not believe it? They want illusion and they achieve it.
We all relive the past we never want to leave it.
The world is ending. And we′re pretending.

Finally safe, finally free, finally home.
It'll be just. Like it was.

This is Andre Barouche for the American song book
Of popular music brought to you by baher aspirin.
NBC radio and metro goldwin mayor are looking for the next great swing band
To write their very own song in honor of our boys in uniform.
Yes, it′s the American songbook's tribute to the troops.
A winning band from each state will compete in a nationwide broadcast live
From the palace theatre in New York on December 16th.
To determine who will appear in a spectacular new motion picture musical
And be immortalized in Hollywood history.