Another entry in an ongoing series recalling the hymns I remember from my youth. Some fondly, others… not so much. This one I’m fond of.

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering 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.

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 bear it to dark Calvary.

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.

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.

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.

To that 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.

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.

I do remember having mixed feelings about this hymn. It’s sentimental, and it’s… well, a bit sappy — but it’s a song of hope, and of knowing one thing that’s important above all. The mixed feelings were largely in cherishing the instrument of torture upon which Christ died, but in understanding the bigger picture, it made sense. The song is in many ways, an audible comfort. It was written by George Bennard and introduced June 7, 1913. It was written to express John 3:16, and became one of the most popular hymns of the 20th century.

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