You’re not on the plains. It’s quite a change:
An avalanche after avalanche.
And falling rocks explode by your tent.
You can turn back, avoid the crag,
But still we choose the tougher track:
The perilous route of the first ascent.

Till you climb a wall and risk a fall
You haven’t proven yourself at all.
Even if down below you were in command.
Down below, try as you might,
You’ll never set your marveling sight
On anything so wondrous and grand!

No flowers and no laurels, and
Looks nothing like a monument
The rock upon your final resting place.
The eternal flame burns in your name:
The summit you have failed to tame
Shines in the sun, its emerald ice ablaze.

So let them talk and let them complain.
But no! No one dies in vain!
It’s better than from booze and the common cold.
Others will trade their life of ease
For dangers and difficulties
And finish your work of conquering that wall!

A vertical drop. Two miles high.
On Providence here you can’t rely.
Don’t trust the rock, the ice, or the cliff you scale.
We place our faith in our own hands,
The metal spike, and the hands of friends,
And only pray the gear doesn’t fail.

We’re cutting the steps. No stopping now!
Your heart is ready to leap out
And run to the top, heeding the summit’s call!
The world at your feet. You have no words,
Euphoric and envious towards
All those who’ve yet to experience it all.