The Old Rugged Cross George Bennard, 1913
4 verses and a refrain, meter 12.8.12.9.9.9.9.9, public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 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 some day for a crown.
Verse 2. Oh, that old rugged cross so despis’d 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.
Verse 3. In the old rugged cross, stain’d with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suff’red and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
Verse 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.
Sing the refrain after every verse.
Words copied from New Baptist Hymnal (1926). They were published in 1913, so they are in the public domain in the United States, and your church may print them, show them and sing them without a license.
The hymn library's slide and print features are made by Church Posting.
The story behind The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard wrote the words and the tune while he held revival meetings in Michigan and New York. In his own account to George W. Sanville he said he was praying for a full understanding of the cross. He began the hymn, set it aside during the New York meetings and finished it after he returned to Michigan. A historical marker in Albion, Michigan dates the first writing to 1912, and Bennard's 1930 book places it in 1913. The Hymnology Archive says Pokagon, Michigan and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin both claim the place where it was completed, and Bennard's accounts do not settle it.
Bennard sang it to Rev. and Mrs. L. O. Bostwick, who helped pay for the first printing. It was first performed in public at a large convention at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute. He registered the copyright on 13 February 1913. The oldest confirmed hymnal appearance is Heart and Life Songs, published in Chicago in 1915, which Bennard co-edited. Around 1920 Homer Rodeheaver's company acquired the copyright.
Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, and his family later moved to Albia, Iowa. He served with the Salvation Army and was later ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in 1958. Hymnary lists B flat major in most hymnals and A flat major in a few.
George Bennard
1873 to 1958
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, and his family later moved to Albia, Iowa. He served with the Salvation Army in Iowa for several years and was then ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He wrote both the words and the tune of The Old Rugged Cross while holding revival meetings in Michigan and New York. The Hymnology Archive dates the first writing to 1912 or 1913 and says he registered the copyright on 13 February 1913. His hymn Speak, My Lord appeared in Triumphant Service Songs in 1934. He died in 1958.
George Bennard
1873 to 1958
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, and his family later moved to Albia, Iowa. He served with the Salvation Army in Iowa for several years and was then ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He wrote both the words and the tune of The Old Rugged Cross while holding revival meetings in Michigan and New York. The Hymnology Archive dates the first writing to 1912 or 1913 and says he registered the copyright on 13 February 1913. His hymn Speak, My Lord appeared in Triumphant Service Songs in 1934. He died in 1958.
- Hymnology Archive: The Old Rugged Cross , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org: OLD RUGGED CROSS (Bennard) , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org: Baptist Hymnal 1991, number 141 , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org: George Bennard , read 2026-10-16
Scripture in The Old Rugged Cross
The Bible passages behind the words.
- John 19:17
- Hebrews 12:2
- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
The Old Rugged Cross videos
-
On a hill far away stood an old rugged Cross (So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross)Gospel Hymn bibleguy, Congregation
-
"The Old Rugged Cross" Mass Choir Album Old Rugged Cross Classic Hymns, Choir
-
The Old Rugged Cross (Original 1913 Rhythms) - A Cappella Hymn A Cappella Hymns, A cappella
-
The Old Rugged Cross - piano instrumental hymn Kaleb Brasee, Piano
-
Carrie Underwood - The Old Rugged Cross (Official Audio Video) Carrie Underwood, Modern arrangement
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Downloads, printing and slides
Sheet music files
- Sheet music PDF 136 KB. Words and all four parts, ready to print.
- Lead sheet PDF 102 KB. Melody, words and chord symbols for piano or guitar.
- MusicXML score XML 103 KB. Opens in MuseScore, Finale, Sibelius and Dorico to change the key or print parts.
- MIDI, all parts MIDI 3 KB. Plays the four-part harmony in any MIDI player or notation app.
- MIDI, melody only MIDI 1 KB. The tune alone, for learning it.
Practice tracks for each voice part, as MIDI: Alto , Tenor , Bass .
Chords and keys
Hymnals print it in B♭ or A♭.
Questions people ask
Who wrote The Old Rugged Cross?
George Bennard wrote both the words and the tune, in 1912 or 1913. He was holding revival meetings in Michigan and New York at the time.
What is the story behind The Old Rugged Cross?
Bennard said he was praying for a full understanding of the cross when he began the hymn. He finished it in Michigan, and the copyright was registered on 13 February 1913.
Where was The Old Rugged Cross first sung?
The Hymnology Archive says it was first performed in public at a large convention at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute. Pokagon, Michigan and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin both claim the place where it was completed.
Is The Old Rugged Cross in the public domain?
Yes. Bennard registered the copyright on 13 February 1913, so the words and tune are public domain in the United States. Some hymnals print a 1941 or Rodeheaver copyright line for their own settings.
On this page