"Going Up"
lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

/ A-4- -GA (2x) / / / A-4- A7A! A7A! / A G A ... /

Once upon a time I dreamed I saw a mountain tall,
And a voice inside my mind said "That's the highest one of all".
So I left my home behind me and set out across the sea,
'Cause I could hear that mighty mountain king beckoning,
As if the peak itself were calling out to me.

It's a long way to the base of the mountain, but further to the peak;
Fill up your canteen at the fountain, but mind the thing you seek:
If you only thirst for wisdom, you can stop right here to fill your cup,
But if you need to see the view from the top -- don't stop! --
'Cause you'll only be fulfilled by going up!

I had climbed about a mile when the path gave out upon a ledge,
And raven, with a smile, said: "Step a little closer to the edge!
I've seen the slopes above you -- you're not gonna make it in those shoes!
So if you really have to go, don't try! -- just fly! --
You only have your groundedness, earthboundedness to lose!"

I don't remember how I made it -- it was all a little blurred:
Was I soaring on my knees or was I crawling like a bird?
Did I know what I was doing as I knelt to kiss the skies?
I recall there was a burst of light -- so bright! --
That's when I opened up my opened up my eyes.