Steven Curtis Chapman - Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad Lyrics
Lyrics
Life is like a mountain railway
With an engineer that's brave
We must make this run successful
From the cradle to the grave
Watch the curves, the fills, and tunnels
Never falter, never fail
Keep your hand upon the throttle
And your eyes upon the rail
Blessed savior, thou will guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore
You will roll up grades of trial; you will cross the bridge of strife
See that Christ is your Conductor on this lightning train of life
Always mindful of obstruction, do your duty, never fail
Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail
Blessed savior, thou will guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore
As you roll across the trestle, spanning Jordan's swelling tide
You behold the Union Depot into which your train will glide
There you'll meet the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son
With the hearty, joyous, plaudit, "Weary pilgrim, welcome home!"
Blessed savior, thou will guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore
Where the angels wait to join us
In that great forevermore
Video
Life is Like a Mountain Railroad (feat. Herb Chapman, Sr and Herb Chapman, Jr)
Meaning & Inspiration
Steven Curtis Chapman's "Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad," released on March 22, 2019, as part of his album *Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows*, offers a profound spiritual reflection wrapped in the timeless imagery of a journey by rail. This song, rooted in a classic hymn, serves as a powerful reminder of life's transient nature and our ultimate destination, meticulously articulating the Christian pilgrimage with both realism about the challenges and unwavering hope in divine guidance. It’s a narrative that speaks directly to the soul, encouraging perseverance and faith in the face of life’s intricate pathways.
The central metaphor of a mountain railway perfectly encapsulates the Christian walk: full of ascents, descents, winding turns, and tunnels, all demanding careful navigation. We are introduced to ourselves as the "engineer that's brave," tasked with making this journey "successful from the cradle to the grave." This imagery immediately establishes a sense of personal responsibility, aligning with scriptural calls to actively engage in our faith. Philippians 2:12 urges us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," emphasizing that while God grants salvation, our active participation in living it out is essential. The instruction to "watch the curves, the fills, and tunnels," and "keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eyes upon the rail," highlights the vigilance required in navigating a world full of spiritual distractions and temptations. It echoes the apostle Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where he likens the Christian life to a race, demanding discipline and focus to run in such a way as to obtain the prize. This isn't about earning salvation, but about living faithfully in response to it, stewarding the life God has given us.
Crucially, the song balances this human effort with divine enablement, as the chorus beautifully declares, "Blessed Savior, thou will guide us / Till we reach that blissful shore / Where the angels wait to join us / In that great forevermore." This shifts the focus from our limited capabilities to the infinite power and grace of Christ. He is not merely a distant observer but an active guide, leading us through the complexities of our existence. This reliance on the Savior resonates deeply with John 14:6, where Jesus states, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." His guidance is not just moral instruction but the very means by which we can successfully complete this spiritual journey. The "blissful shore" represents heaven, our eternal home, a promise reiterated throughout Scripture, such as in Revelation 21:4, where God will "wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither sorrow nor crying, nor pain anymore."
The journey inevitably includes "grades of trial" and "the bridge of strife," acknowledging the inevitable difficulties and conflicts we encounter. Yet, even in these challenging moments, Christ remains our "Conductor on this lightning train of life." This image is immensely comforting, reminding us that even when the path is rough, we are not alone; a skilled and loving Conductor is at the helm. Isaiah 43:2 assures us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you," signifying God's constant presence and support through adversity. Our continued duty to be "mindful of obstruction" and to "do your duty, never fail," with our hand still "upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail," implies a partnership: our vigilance paired with Christ’s overarching direction. This dual emphasis inspires a proactive faith—one that takes responsibility while fully trusting in divine sovereignty.
The song culminates in a triumphant vision of the journey's end, "as you roll across the trestle, spanning Jordan's swelling tide." The Jordan River often symbolizes death or the transition into God's promised land (Joshua 3:17). Crossing it, we behold the "Union Depot into which your train will glide," a vivid representation of heaven, the ultimate destination for the faithful. Here, we meet "the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son," a powerful depiction of our final encounter with the Godhead. The ultimate reward is not merely arriving but being welcomed with a "hearty, joyous, plaudit, 'Weary pilgrim, welcome home!'" This beautiful affirmation captures the essence of Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." It is the profound joy of a life lived for Christ, culminating in His loving embrace and the promise of eternal rest and fellowship with angels in "that great forevermore." "Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad" is more than a song; it’s a spiritual roadmap, a call to embrace our journey with courage, live with purpose, and fix our hope firmly on the guidance of our Savior until we reach our eternal home.