Riding up the mountain
In an open car,
Engine puffing bravely—
O, how high we are!
Higher we are climbing,
To the clouds we sail;
All the world’s beneath us
On the Rigi Rail.
Past the slopes of verdure,
Gay with gold and white,
Past the crags and fissures,
Up the giddy height.
Torrents down below us
Dashing through the vale,
Snowclad peaks above us,
On the Rigi Rail.
Up, still up to cloudland,
While the world below
Shrinks to dots and pigmies
Higher as we go.
All around grows barren;
Timid girls grow pale
As the snow surrounds us
On the Rigi Rail.
Up at last—the summit
Puffing Billy gains,
And the sight that greets us
Pays for all our pains.
Alp on alp far stretching,
Lake and plain and vale
Spread in glory round us
On the Rigi Rail.
Nerves with joy are thrilling
In that wondrous air,
Ne’er did eyes enchanted
See a sight so fair.
Ne’er till memory falters
And my senses fail
Shall I forget that journey
Upon the Rigi Rail.