Forty Ahead

For Dick

words and music by Howard Kranz

There’s a rider drawn still ‘neath a high lonesome hill,

Having traveled far, bearing wounds and scars and glory.

But his eyes see no trace on that hill’s lonesome face

what may lie beyond, for soon he’ll come to forty.

Forty! There’s no place to hide.

Forty! It’s a long, long slide.

Forty! At the signpost up ahead…

He can hear the low moans, and the cold, creaking bones;

The air is filled with sighs, and the feeble cries of

“Poor me!”

Still his heart does not quail as he rides down that trail.

You can’t run from fate when you’ve got a date with forty.

Forty! It’s a long, long ride

Forty! on the other side--

Forty! At the signpost up ahead…

Ridin’ on, and on and on and on and on--

You must be strong, though the way be long and gory.

Still he gathers his toys and he rides on with poise,

just because you’ve got to fake a lot when you’re forty.

Forty! It’s a long, long slide.

Forty! There’s no place to hide.

Forty! At the signpost up ahead…