i was standing by the bedside where my fevered mother lay when she called me close beside her and i thought i heard her say i ve just seen the rock of ages jacob s ladder hanging down i ve just crossed the river of jordan now my son i m homeward bound as we gathered by her bedside the tears begin to fill our eyes then she called me close beside her and whispered softly her good byes pine trees blowing cross the mountain where forever she will lay there she ll rest beside the fountain there she ll sleep beneath the clay 