on a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame and i love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain in the bible we read of the beauties of heaven and the place christ has gone to prepare and eyes have not seen and ears have not heard what awaits us in heaven in that city four square we ll walk and talk with our loved ones and we ll see the savior face to face and we ll sing praises to him forever and forever we ll thank him for his amazing grace but we must prepare while we live here below so to claim our inheritance that waits and if we neglect so great a salvation we can never enter heaven s gates you know we ll be joint heirs with christ in that home and together we ll walk the streets with him made of pure gold and we ll live in a mansion not made by human hands and forever watch the mysteries of heaven unfold these words were written by my mother and as of the recording of this album which was finished in april of 81 she s of sound body and mind and i m proud to say she s about to celebrate her 79th birthday and with the exception of some mental scars brought about by her youngest and most wayward son i believe she s fine and i want to dedicate this album to her which i ve titled for the mama that tried mom this one s for you but i also want to dedicate it to an old friend of mine who is a leading character in these recordings and gave his life for all of us i will cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down i will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown