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About Numbered Notation

Numbered Notation (also called Jianpu, 简谱) writes each melody note as a number from 1 to 7 instead of a note on a staff. The number shows the note's position in the song's scale -- not its exact pitch -- so the same tune looks identical no matter what key it's sung in.

Within one octave, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 correspond to the familiar do re mi fa sol la ti. A dot above a number raises it an octave higher; a dot below lowers it an octave lower -- no dot means the middle, as-written octave.

A plain number lasts one beat. A dash (-) right after a number holds that same note for one more beat. A line underneath a number shortens it instead -- one line is half a beat, two lines a quarter of a beat. A 0 is a rest: silence for one beat.

The label at the top of the sheet, like "1=C" or "1=Ab", shows which pitch scale degree 1 ("do") is tuned to. A song in a minor key is labeled "6=X" instead -- scale degree 6 ("la") is the true tonic. Chord names printed above the notes (like "C" or "G7") always use their familiar letter names, never numbers.

For example, under a "1=C" heading, the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 sound as C D E F G A B. Under a "1=G" heading, those very same numbers sound as G A B C D E F# instead -- same shape, different key.

The old rugged cross

Glorying in the Cross The Old Rugged Cross

English618
1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
 
So 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.
2
Oh, 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.
3
In 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.

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Onjob

Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria

Apr 3, 2026

I will always cling to the old rugged cross which I hope to exchange some days for a crown

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Anonymous

Apr 2, 2026

The best music!!!

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Valerie

Woodhull, NY, United States

Apr 1, 2026

One of my favorite hymns. I cry though when I think about what Jesus had to go through. The torture and pain and hanging on that cross just for us. To forgive us of our sins. What an amazing man. I can't wait to meet Him and thank Him in person. I thank Him every day for saving me.

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Nsereko Moses Ssebuliba

Masaka, Uganda

Mar 8, 2026

Very nice hymn

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Susana John Alexander

Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Mar 7, 2026

It's such a great idea song that teaches Jesus Christ died to redeem mankind .

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Lily Quain

NYC, NY, United States

Feb 21, 2026

My mom would sing this song when I was little and I loved the melody. As I grew up and understood the words I couldn’t help tearing up whenever I sing it. I have taught my daughter and together when we sing along with my mom who is now elderly. it’s so powerful. What a beautiful song. Thank you, Jesus for the finished work on the cross.

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Hannah Osemudiamen

Lagos, Nigeria

Jan 30, 2026

We will never forget that you were wounded for our transgressions Lord. Thank you Jesus

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Songsfromthelord888

Jan 6, 2026

As verse 3 says:

We cherish what our Father and His Son through the eternal Spirit, did for us on that old cross.

It is there, that those that humble themselves, and pray, and seek God's face, and turn from their wicked ways, are pardoned (forgiven, and their sentence paid for) and they are separated (sanctified) unto God Himself to live a new life in Christ Jesus. Christ in you the hope of glory! 🙂

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Sherman Stenson

Downs, KS, United States

Dec 24, 2025

Michael Seeley says it right in his comment: we should focus on Jesus, the Savior on the cross, not the object of the cross itself. "The Old Rugged Cross" mentions Jesus peripherally, but the message conveyed in every stanza is veneration of an inanimate object of creation, not on the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of humanity. It's not a hymn with very good Christological theology.

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Anonymous

Dec 18, 2025

My favorite

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