The Old Rugged Cross
Quick answer: This page offers the full text of the old rugged cross, explaining the background of George Bennard's famous composition and its lasting place in traditional worship.
What the hymn says
The hymn focuses on the central symbol of Christian faith, viewing it not as a mere historical artifact but as a transformative power in daily life. The verses contrast the suffering and rejection associated with the cross with the deep affection the singer holds for it. It emphasizes dedication, endurance, and the eventual exchange of earthly struggles for heavenly glory.
George Bennard wrote the hymn in 1913 during a difficult period while leading revival services in Michigan. He described feeling a special inspiration to write about the central emblem of the Christian message. The personal devotion captured in the text resonated with churchgoers across denominations, making it a staple of evangelistic gatherings and traditional worship services for generations.
The story behind it
George Bennard composed the words and music in 1913, introducing it during revival meetings in Michigan. The song gained rapid popularity across North America through traveling evangelists and tent meetings. It soon found a permanent place in standard church hymnals and remains one of the most requested traditional gospel songs.
Four things to notice
- Notice the contrast between the world's disdain for the cross and the singer's deep affection.
- Observe the steady rhythm designed for congregational singing in large revival tents.
- Consider the theme of exchanging earthly hardship for an eternal reward.
- Reflect on how this song helped define early twentieth-century American gospel music.
The text
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.
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.
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.
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.
Text: Tabernacle Hymns No. 2 (1921), no. 38, printed under the notice “Copyright, 1913, Geo. Bennard, Homer A. Rodeheaver, owner” — OCR text of the scanned hymnal on Internet Archive (item tabernaclehymnsn00rade), syllable hyphens rejoined: https://archive.org/details/tabernaclehymnsn00rade . Cross-checked line by line against the complete lyric transcription in the Wikipedia article “The Old Rugged Cross”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Rugged_Cross
Earliest publication 1913 (the 1921 hymnal prints the 1913 copyright line above). In the United States, works published before 1929 are in the public domain, and this hymn's US copyright term (95 years from publication) ran out in 2008 — but because a 1954 renewal filing has been reported by some sources and the record is disputed, treat this one with more care than the rest of the collection: if you are outside the United States, or you plan commercial reprinting, check the law in your own jurisdiction first.
Scriptures behind the words
Verses on the cross and what it bought — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible.
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
- Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
- 1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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