Lyrics — The Old Rugged Cross — George Bennard (1913) Listen on Cyberhymnal

 

On 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.

 

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.

 

O 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 some day for a crown.

 

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 some day for a crown.

 

To 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.

 

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.

 

 

If you’re not saved, come to Jesus!

 

 

Whenever I, Rob Norman, was with my mother (Margaret Valentine Norman 1916 –1996) at Church, she would always cry when we sang the Old Rugged Cross. She loved the Lord and she could not contain that love. She went to be with Jesus in 1996. I love you mom. You did a great job raising me. You were the love of Jesus more than any person I have ever seen, ever; trustworthy, more than any other human I have ever met and you always believed, like a child, like Jesus said we should. I thank you mom... and Lord Jesus, I praise You and thank You.

 

September 10, 2006

Updated September 10 & 17 2008