JOURNEY ON LIFE'S RAILROAD
The train of life is comin' round the bend
We all must follow till life's end,
Hoping the Savior above will guide us,
The engineer on life's straight and narrow rail bless us.
Keep your hand on the throttle
Moving forward as you fight life's battle
precept by precept till we reach that blissful shore
Meeting in final glad remembrance those we truly adore.
Do not profane life with uselessly carnal prattle
Fill your life with golden deeds that prove your mettle
Following life's railway grades through dark lined valleys
Chugging through mean street back alleys.
Do not hang your head, but trust the engineer so brave
Defeated spirits from the depths of darkness to save
Unsuccessful souls passing low 'neath railroad trestle
Rising up to heaven's gate to wear the Master's mantle.
So watch the deep curves and hollows,
Fighting contentious foes with your fellows,
Keep your eyes on the right, never falter, never fail
Riding that straight and narrow rail.
I want to be the point man on life's train
From the tip of the spear, the first to ascertain
Life's thorns and arrows and winds of change,
Let me ride up front with the engineer on bends so strange.
Help me hold onto that rod of righteousness
Though hounds of hell incarnate do chase us
Never look back because he might be gaining
Defaming your very life in yesterdays truth profaning.
Help me discern the right when there are forks in the trail
Choose the good from the bad that will my caboose derail
Stoke the steam engine fires that keep me on the track
Arm my mind with goodly knowledge, justice in fact.
Oh ride with me those tracks of glory
Our engine lighting the way to the greatest story
Take the crossroads high up into the mountain path
Shout at the devil below us, feel his wrath.
The measure of a man is how he rode life's rails
Not depths of depravity seen along hills and dales
Did he ride with gusto and love of life
Sharing its joys and bounties rife.
Did he help a brother on a rocky grade
Assist a neighbor fallen into the bar-ditch laid
To grasp the rod on the railway eternal
To ride to the end of the line gloriously supernal.