All of our lives we seem to be climbing

High up the mountain until,

One day we pause to look around us

And find we're on the shadow side of the hill.

We think of our strength as never failing,

And fail to notice we're growing old until

We awake some morn and look in the mirror

To find we're on the shadow side of the hill.

We seek a life overflowing with pleasure,

Not fearing the consequence until,

We suddenly come to our senses and notice,

We're on the shadow side of the hill.

Then, as suddenly we become very serious,

So thoughtful and ernest and still;

We ponder the deeds back behind us

'Cause we're on the shadow side of the hill.

If we'd only accept the Lord's teaching,

If we'd bend and yield our stubborn will

While we're young and eager and full of energy

Ere we reach the shadow side of the hill.

We could do so much for Jesus,

Bring others to Him! Oh, what a thrill,

If we'd put the lust for pleasure behind us

Ere we reach the shadow side of the hill.

Do you really think God would be pleased

At your throwing away your life until

You stand aghast on the precipice

On the shadow side of the hill?

By L. B. Strawn

1974