A standard Christian hymn, 1913.
words and music by Rev. George Bennard
The book Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan has this description: On one occasion, after a difficult season of ministry, George realized he needed to better understand the power of the Cross of Christ. He later said, “I was praying for a full understanding of the Cross . . . I read and studied and prayed . . . The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol . . . It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind’s eye, the theme of the song came to me.” It took several months for the words to formulate in his mind. As he preached through the Midwest, George would carry the words with him, working on them, polishing them, and sometimes singing them in his meetings. It always struck a chord with his audiences. The year was 1913. Clean copy sheet music can be found in the book Peg O’ My Heart 1912-13, Dover Publications. Musically, it is in 6/8 time and should be counted very slowly. I set quarter note tempo = 50 bpm.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
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
Chorus
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
2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despied by the world
Has a wond’rous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
3. In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine
A wond’rous beauty I see
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me
4. 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
Sung here by Fred Feild: