The pathway, it's long and it's winding
From the cradle on through to the grave;
And to travel that crooked old trailway
We have got to be honest and brave

Now we are innocent creatures
When we enter this world of care
We know not a thing of life's pitfalls
As we enter all naked and bare.

They'll dress us in soft downy clothing
Prepared by a mother so grand
Who will always be there to guard us
Or to lend us helping hand

She'll sit and she'll rock our cradle
And sing in a voice soft and bland
And guide our wandering footsteps
To the years when we understand

A father and mother to guide us
With always anhand to loan
School years are gone and behind us
And now we are off on our own

Filled up with dreams and ambitions
That the young so willingly weave
Not all of them go by the rule book
So they might theirs goals achieve

There are some who really enjoy it
When they tramp on another one's toes
They say it's a game they are playing
A game where everything goes

I'm not so sure that I like it
I prefer all my games on the square
But it's hard for an man to be honest
In a gang where some never play fair

Change gangs? Is that your solution?
Well, I reckon you're right my friend
But it seems that very few do it
We just stick around for the end

Some of the Gang will be lucky
When they try their fortunes to make
While others keep sweating and toiling
They try, but they don't get a break

Some settle down to hard labor
They'll do it until they are old
Some seek the end of the rainbow
With its glittering pot of gold

Some go to work in the factories
Hoping to get a big deal
They'll soon be a permanent fixture
Just a small cog in a wheel

The name of the game is survival
And we may get a bump or a bruise
We smile on the game when we're winning
And cuss our luck when we lose

To win is not always the answer
In this world of trouble and strife
For your really must be a good loser
To win in this game called life

Don't bother your friends or your neighbors
When things go a little bit lame
For a wee bit of clean opposition
May only just sweeten our game

So why don't we just grin and bear it
When everything seems to go wrong
Smile as each problem confronts us
And start every day with a song

Give help to the poor and the needy
It's better to give than to save
Don't have any snake tracks behind us
When we're old and doomedfor the grave

The old gang is scattered all over
And I feel just a wee bit forlon
For I wonder if we'll all be ready
When old Gabriel blows on his horn