The Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard · 1913 · tune OLD RUGGED CROSS
Key of G · public domain

Words

Verse 1On 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

RefrainSo I'll 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

Verse 2Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary

Verse 3In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me

Verse 4To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away
Where His glory forever I'll share

The story

George Bennard was a Methodist evangelist who had come up through the Salvation Army, and he wrote this after a hard season of evangelistic work sent him back to what he called seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page and take form. He began it in the autumn of 1912 and it was copyrighted in February 1913; three towns claim the place it was finished. Galatians 6:14 was printed above it when it appeared in Heart and Life Songs in 1915. What makes it last is that it will not clean the cross up. It is emblem of suffering and shame, it is rugged, it is stained with blood so divine, and the singer says plainly that the world despises it. Only then does the hymn say I love that old cross. That order matters. Bennard is not admiring a piece of jewellery. He is saying he has looked straight at the worst thing in the world and found that it is where he is saved.

Chords in G

Verse 1 G C G On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross G D G The emblem of suffering and shame G C G And I love that old cross where the dearest and best G D G For a world of lost sinners was slain Refrain G C G So I'll cherish the old rugged cross G D G Till my trophies at last I lay down G C G I will cling to the old rugged cross G D G And exchange it some day for a crown Verse 2 G C G Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world G D G Has a wondrous attraction for me G C G For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above G D G To bear it to dark Calvary Verse 3 G C G In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine G D G A wondrous beauty I see G C G For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died G D G To pardon and sanctify me Verse 4 G C G To the old rugged cross I will ever be true G D G Its shame and reproach gladly bear G C G Then He'll call me some day to my home far away G D G Where His glory forever I'll share

In the app you can move this to any key and it works out the capo for you.

Common questions

Who wrote The Old Rugged Cross? George Bennard wrote the words in 1913.

What tune is it sung to? OLD RUGGED CROSS, set here in the key of G.

What scripture is it built on? Galatians 6:14.

Is The Old Rugged Cross free to use in church? Yes. The words are public domain, which means any church may sing them, print them in a bulletin, put them on a screen or record them, without asking permission and without paying anyone.

Themes

The Cross · Devotion · Sacrifice

More hymns

Amazing Grace It Is Well With My Soul Holy, Holy, Holy Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Rock of Ages What a Friend We Have in Jesus When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Blessed Assurance To God Be the Glory Abide With Me A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Crown Him With Many Crowns All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Just As I Am Be Thou My Vision Nearer, My God, to Thee Take My Life, and Let It Be The Church's One Foundation Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling Trust and Obey Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Love Divine, All Loves Excelling I Need Thee Every Hour Sweet Hour of Prayer Jesus Paid It All The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want The King of Love My Shepherd Is O God, Our Help in Ages Past All People That on Earth Do Dwell Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun Joy to the World Unto the Hills Around Do I Lift Up Let Us With a Gladsome Mind Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams Through All the Changing Scenes of Life Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord