The Old Rugged Cross

For the past six weeks, I’ve been posting a different Lenten or Easter song on my Sunday blog. Today, Christians remember the day our Lord died on a cross to take away our sins, and there is no other song which says it as well as this one.

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 someday 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.

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 someday for a crown.

3. In that 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.

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 someday for a crown.

4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
   Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
   Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
   Where His glory forever I’ll share.

 (by George Bennard, 1913)

Hopevale  Cathedral in the Glen at Green Lake Conference Center, 2011