The Celebration Hymnal

327

The Old Rugged Cross

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.  

Refrain:  
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 O the 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. [Refrain]  

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. [Refrain]  

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. [Refrain]

WORDS: George Bennard
MUSIC: George Bennard
Theme: Christ: Atonement, Crucifixion, Suffering and Death