Nothing In my hand I bring. Simply to the Cross I cling: The allegory of the Woman on the Cross statuary in cemeteries

About Rock of ages , the hymn
"Rock of Ages" is a popular Christian hymn by the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady written in 1763 and first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775.
Traditionally, it is held that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was traveling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics on a playing card.
The fissure that is believed to have sheltered Toplady is now marked as the "Rock of Ages", both on the rock itself and on some maps.
  Source - Above From Wikipedia 


 Rock of ages is the subject of many cemetery statuary,often portrayed by a woman clinging to the cross. Sometimes this is a literal application of a woman hands en-clasped about a cross, or sometimes a woman is standing , not kneeling and holding onto the Cross.  The more literal interpretation is seen at the top, found on a White Zinc monument in West Hill cemetery In Sherman Texas. She is literally and figuratively clinging to the cross. The cross is a representation of a haven , the haven is that Jesus Christ in the dark and stormy seas of the world .  A refuge for the weary and browbeaten sinner. A place of which to cling unto.  
   The woman on the cross above can be seen to be on some kind of rocky cairn or rock encompass, perhaps this is to suggest a shore or some kind.  
    From what research I have don into the Rock of Age statuary is that it comes from the exact verse "Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;" The allegorical theme for the whole statue , though poses and nature vary come exactly from this verse.  I remind the reader again that a lot of verses and epitaphs come from hymns, the Victorians were a religious lot. and hymns a lot of times were based off of biblical passages and verses.  This statue is based on Rock Of ages specifically. The briefest and most concise meaning that can be given is that of Jesus and the cross is a foothold unto a world of darkness for troubled sinners and believers alike.


 
Rock of ages 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Safe me from wrath and make me pure
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

EverGreen Cemetery, Paris Texas. (this statue has a reputation to some as being the Jesus wearing cowboy boots. But i disagree its a woman clinging to a cross, not Jesus.

West Hill cemetery. A variation with an angel leaning on a cross. meaning even angels doted on Jesus love and salvation

West Hill cemetery. Woman leaning against cross.

Woman walking away from cross, hard to see but this one is an angel as well.

Pecan Grove cemetery, McKinney Texas. Another angel leaning on cross. This one is seen to adorn it with flowers , giving it an air of adoration and thanks and well as an air of surrender.

Calvary Cemetery, Woman leaning on cross. Her expression is morose portraying exactly the verse of the song. saying plainly you are all I have to cling to , please oh lord help me.