Lyrics

The closest friend I?d ever known
Was laid to rest today
In my heart I questioned God
For taking him away
The preacher spoke about the years
Engraved upon the stone
I pondered on his every word
As I left the grave alone

Chorus
(he said) Are you running a good race,
Do your people cheer you on
Or are you bringing up the rear,
In that final stretch for home
When a man is born or when he dies
Don't hardly mean a thing
It's not the year on either end,
It?s the dash that's in between

Verse2
As I headed back for work
A tear came to my eye
I wasn?t weeping for my friend
I was mourning my own life
I?d been wasting all my years
Pursuing selfish things
The more I thought about those words,
The truer they would ring

Chorus
(he said) Are you running a good race,
Do your people cheer you on
Or are you bringing up the rear,
In that final stretch for home
When a man is born or when he dies
Don't hardly mean a thing
It's not the year on either end,
it?s the dash that's in between

Bridge
When this race is over,
What?ll be my legacy
If it?s measured by devotion to
My God and family?

Verse 3
I thought about my boy at home,
So I hit the brakes
I turned around and picked him up
We headed for the lake
We cast out our fishin? lines
Sat down on the grass
Then I looked up and said ?Yes Lord,
I?m workin? on my dash?