Raymond and Rosemary Brown.
Below,Isaac White holding Isaac White Jr.
at grandma's house 'over the hill.' This site also overlooks the Blue River valley
Grandma's Song
By Rosemary Brown
When Pop (my Dad, named Isaac White) spoke of "Over on the Hill" he was referring to Grandma's House. We lived on one hill and she live on the other. We spent a lot of time at Grandma's house when I was little.
It was the custom on Saturday evening to make a trip into town for groceries which was bought with money from the cream and eggs that Grandma had to sell. On this particular Sarurday night everyone of the big folks went to town and Grandma stayed home with the children. There was a flock of cousins around the house. Grandma (Eliza Jane Rogers Reeves) seldom ever sat down to rest but this time when thebaby started to cry Grandma picked up the baby and sat in the rocker to rock it.
I never knew that Grandma could sing. In fact it hadn't crossed my mind . She could make biscuits, fry chicken , and set a good meal on the table amongst her many talents. This time Grandma began to sing. And she sang a high soprano which was not popular with my mother at the time because I had heard her say that she sounded like she was hurting or some similiar remark when she heard high soprano. But not this time as I listened to Grandma's song it was some of the most beautiful singing I had ever heard, and she sang:
On Jordan's Stormy banks
On Jordan's Stormy banks I stand and cast a wistful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy Land where my possessions lie
I am bound for the promised Land I am bound for the promise land
Oh who will come and go with me I am bound for the promise land.
And then she sang:
I'm just agoing over Jordan, I'm going there no more to roam
I'm just agoing over Jordan, I just agoing over home.
I'm going there to meet my mother, She said she'd meet me when I came
I'm just agoing over Jordan, I'm just agoing over home.
(Original text by Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795)
Posted 12/29/2004, If you love Pentecostal songs, you can email Rose
Rosemary's Notes
Wait a little longer, please Jesus
Uncle Lacy (and my brother, June, too)