The Old Rugged Cross

This is generally conceded to be the most popular of all twentieth century hymns. It was composed by a soldier in the Salvation Army, George Bennard.

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On a hill far a-way, 

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stood an old rug-ged cross. 

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The emb-lem of suffer-ing and shame. 

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And I love that old cross, 

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where the dear-est and best 

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for a world of lost sin-ners was slain. 

chorus

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So I'll cher-ish the old rug-ged cross, 

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Till my troph-ies at last I lay down. 

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I will cling to the old rug-ged cross 

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And ex-change it some day for a crown.

verse 2

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 beat it to dark Calvary.

verse 3

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.

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.

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