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.
G
On a hill far away stood an
C
old rugged cross,
The
D
emblem of
D7
suff'ring and
G-D7
shame,
And I
G
love that old cross where the
C
Dearest and Best
For a
D
world of lost
D7
sinners was
G
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.
G
So I'll
D
cherish the old rugged
G
cross,
Till my
C
trophies at last I lay
G
down;
I will cling to the old rugged
C
cross,
And ex
G
change it some
D7
day for a
G
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.
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.
G
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised
C
by the world,
Has
D
a wondrous
D7
attraction
G-D7
for me;
For the
G
dear Lamb of God left His
C
glory above,
To bear
D
it to dark
D7
Calvary.
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.
G
So I'll
D
cherish the old rugged
G
cross,
Till my
C
trophies at last I lay
G
down;
I will cling to the old rugged
C
cross,
And ex
G
change it some
D7
day for a
G
crown.
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.
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.
G
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood
C
so divine,
A
D
wondrous
D7
beauty I
G-D7
see;
For 'twas
G
on that old cross Jesus
C
suffered and died,
To
D
pardon and
D7
sanctify me.
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.
Bennard was born in Youngstown, OH, but raised in Iowa. Initially he was with the Salvation Army but eventually was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Here he conducted revival meetings throughout Michigan, NY and Canada. It was during a particular difficult time while he was in Michigan that he reflected on the significance of the cross and what Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. The result was this hymn. He wrote other hymns but is known mainly for this one. - Songs of the Spirit by Martin
This is my favorite song, which comforts me. the cheer I have is only because of my Saviour Jesus Christ, who took my sin on Himself, suffered for me, I am an unworthy slave, sinner to be saved by His Grace.
This is the most beautiful song ever... I will always cherish the cross that Jesus died for me and all sinners on. Jesus saved all mankind and we were all washed clean on that glorious day !! Thank You Jesus for giving Your life for mine and may You always continue to lead me in the direction of Your glorious path that You have laid out for me to walk. May You continue to walk beside me, helping me up every time I fall and keeping my faith alive and strong. May God always bless and protect me, my family, my friends, and the entire world ! I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thank You God, for being all three combined. Amen.
My father requested this for his funeral service... Hardly a dry eye in the sanctuary. Even now, seven months later, this beautiful hymn touches my heart.