It was during Britain’s X Factor Finals in December 2009 when I first heard this song. I didn’t know that it has been released earlier on and was actually a very popular song in the US during the early part of 2009. Nominated for the Grammy Award, it is indeed a song that is now known to many and I would guess one of the most downloaded songs in 2009 (I was one of those who purchased this from iTunes).

The lyrics are very straightforward, there’s no need to reflect deeper or analyse further. Listening to it will encourage anyone to keep going, to never give up and to be strong. I have been listening to it over and over and over for the last several days but somehow, I felt like something is missing from the lyrics.

So, I checked with my two best friends – Google and Wikipedia. I wanted to know more information about the song. My heart, once again, lead me to the right direction.

Wikipedia says that the original lyrics of the song was written in third person and was more spiritual and contained lines about prayer.  But, was later on changed to suit the requirement of the movie Hannah Montana. That’s it. That’s what I thought was missing. I knew there’s a story behind.

I know not everyone believes in prayer but I know that everyone who will embark or who’s at the middle of a climb, has, in their hearts, a small wish, that someone will look after them and watch over them as they climb. That small wish, that little voice that yearns for protection, is, in its simplest form, a prayer.

Sometimes, it is not about how we started the climb. It is not about how we endure the hardships. It is not about how we rise after a fall. It is not how fast we get there nor what’s waiting on the other side, as the song says.

It is not just about ‘The Climb’. It is also about each and every prayer we utter every step of the way.  When the climb is over, we will all have to look back and see who we have become after the journey.

I now listen to the song with a deeper understanding of its true beginnings. True that some words may have been omitted, but I now know somewhere in between those melodies, the word ‘prayer’ exists.

If I will have the chance to meet the Little Prince and the fox (from the book, The Little Prince), I will join their conversation and say: ‘I agree that what is essential is invisible to the human eye but I will also add that what the ear fails to hear, the heart takes notice of’.

(Found these photos in my file. Taken during a visit to Legoland, October 2009.)