Wiping his brow  He managed to tear himself away  The past few nights had left him rather tired  Returned his thoughts  To a need he felt overpowering  He felt success was now within his grasp  Climbing the ladder  Three runs forward, two runs back  Climbing the ladder  Trying to stay on just the right track  Keeps up the pace  Tells himself that it's all worthwhile  Hard work is its own reward one day  Could he be wrong  Are all his dreams merely fantasies  And would it all fall in on him some day  Climbing the ladder  Three runs forward, two runs back  Climbing the ladder  Trying to stay on just the right track  Now he sits back  Amid all the things he worked so hard for  And wonders was his energy well spent  Whatever the price  He is where he wants to be  The end has justified the means and all  (Chorus)