Direction:

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been so crystal stair

It's had tacks in it

And splinters

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor-

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been a 'climbin' on,

And reachin' Landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin in the dark,

Where there ain't been no light

So boy, don't you turn back;

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard;

Don't you fall now

For I'se still goin', honey

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't no crystal stair.