I was standing by the bedside of a neighbor Who was just about to cross a swellin' tide And I asked him if he would do me a favor Kindly take this message to the other side Well if you see him tell him that you saw me When you saw me I was on my way You may meet some more friends who may ask about me But tell'em I am comin' home some day Well, you have to make this journey on without me Sooner or later sooner or later it's a debt that must be paid When you reach that goal it's when you think about me But don't forget to tell my Savior what I say You may chance to meet my mother and my father Or some friend that I can't recall You may chance to meet my brother and my father But don't forget to see my Savior first of all I was standing by the bedside of a neighbor Who was just about to cross a swellin' tide And I asked him if he would do me a favor Kindly take this message to the other side