Paths of Victory

Walking a tough road

Of battles and troubles leads

You to victory.

If you're looking for a roadmap to success, you could probably do with a song like "Paths of Victory." The chorus is like an orientation guide for those of you who might be looking to reorient yourselves once in a while as the paths toward social justice, harmony and victory grow difficult to follow, given the various travails that people suffer while engaged in cumbersome tasks:

"Trails of troubles

Roads of battles

Paths of victory

I shall walk."

Here's what else happens in the various verses:

1. Dusty trail, rough road, but there are better roads nearby. "And boys it ain't far off."

2. Down by the river, if you look high, you'll see the silver lining on the clouds in the sky.

3. Dusk is coming, and there's a track, and that's where the wind is blowing at your back.

4. The road is bumpy as it's made of gravel, but there's another road that's easier to walk on.

5. There's a train that you can ride, and if you look out its windows, you can see better days coming from across the fields.

The song was recorded in 1963 for the album "The Times They Are a-Changin'," though it didn't make the cut. It was released officially in 1991 on the first edition of the Bootleg Series. The song was pased on a gospel song by the Rev. John B. Matthias in 1836. It's also known as "Deliverance Will Come" and "The Way-worn Traveler."