Thy golden cap thy fame has won
From first until thy task was done.
Never a minute he had to spare
As he climbed the mountain high in the air.
Excelsior.
No boy nor youth was quite so brave
To take a risk that lead to his grove.
This hero traveled day and night,
As long as the sky was clear and bright.
Excelsior.
He met the lion, bear and all
As he climbed still higher on the rocky wall.
He was not afraid of beast or bear,
But yet his end was high in the air.
Excelsior.
One morning early, the ground was white.
The snow glittered high like diamonds bright.
Up by the rocks he made his route
As he roamed the forest in and out.
Excelsior.
The night came on and darkness fell,
But yet his courage was not dispelled.
A noble hero he soon became,
As on this journey he won his fame.
Excelsior.
No further, the old man said.
The stormy clouds drifted over head.
The lofty peaks are high and wide.
But still the noble youth replied
Excelsior.
At last one day he thought his task
Was done.
But then he said it has just begun.
A journey long he had to go
Before he became a brave hero.
Excelsior.
In a little house he saw the light
Of household fire; the warm and bright.
But up the mountain he started a train,
The golden cup he had to win.
Excelsior.
At last the journey was at an end.  He fell asleep in rain and wind. The brave hero never woke, again. And was hunted by a company of men. Excelsior. One morning early, as the sun rested a round. 