The time has come to lose that weight
The weight that holds me back
Strip down to the essentials
To run that Heavenly track
The stands are full of cheerers-on
Who’ve come to see me run
There’s a wild olive crown
Just waiting to be won
 
And now we’re sweatin’ to the oldies
Until the race is run
Sweatin’ to the oldies
With Saint Ephrem the Syrian ¹
 
Lord and Master of my life
Take away my sloth
Lust of power and idle talk
Despair that makes me loath
I bend myself down to the ground
And take my position
Then look up to the first victor
Who showed it can be won
 
And now we’re sweatin’ to the oldies
Until the race is run
Sweatin’ to the oldies
With Saint Ephrem the Syrian
 
Instead give me your spirit of
Patience, humility,
Give your love to your servant
And teach me chastity
Again I flex my aching knees
My work will not be done
Until I collapse at your feet
After my race is run
 
And now we’re sweatin’ to the oldies
Until the race is run
Sweatin’ to the oldies
With Saint Ephrem the Syrian
 
Yes, O Lord, and yes, O King
Grant me to see my sins
And overlook my brother’s as
His own race he begins
And I will bless you with each step
I’m taking, one by one
It’s my joy to race to you
And run as you have run
 
And now we’re sweatin’ to the oldies
Until the race is run
Sweatin’ to the oldies
With Saint Ephrem the Syrian
 

1. Holland, Fr. Seraphim. “The Prayer of St Ephrem Explained,” Great Lent (Orthodox.net) http://www.orthodox.net/greatlent/o-lord-and-master-of-my-life-prayer-of-st-ephrem-01.html