YOURS is the loser's part to play, br For you the goal is far away br And never to be gained. br It is your lot to stand and see br The golden apples on life's tree br By some one else attained; br To view with yearning in your eyes br Another grasp the precious prize. br br It is for you to wade through fire, br To feel the burning of desire br And want unsatisfied; br And from the sleepless hours of night br You rise at morn, once more to fight br With victory denied; br Spurred on by hope that never dies, br You struggle ever toward the prize. br br A failure? Yes, as glory goes, br Yet braver in the end than those br Who life's great battles win; br For you return at break of day br With courage to renew the fray, br And with a lifted chin br You strive once more to reach the goal, br And ground your bark upon a shoal. br br But when earth's story shall be told, br And God's great purpose we behold br With eyes new-born to see; br When we have passed beyond the pale br Of earth, and torn aside the veil br Of death's great mystery, br As souls victorious you'll stand br And God's great prizes you'll command.