A                      D
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross  
    E                       A      E
The emblem of suffering and shame 
      A                             D
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best  
      E                         A
For a world of lost sinners was slain  

 
         E                      A 
And I'll cherish the old rugged cross
         D           E          A 
until my trophies at last I lay down  
                               D
I will cling to the old rugged cross 
        A              E         A
And ex- change it some day for a crown 


       A                        D
O that old rugged cross, so de- spised by the world,
      E                       A    E
Has a wondrous attraction for me
        A                         D
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
   E                      A
To bear it to dark Calva- ry.

 
         E                      A 
And I'll cherish the old rugged cross
         D           E          A 
until my trophies at last I lay down  
                               D
I will cling to the old rugged cross 
        A              E         A
And ex- change it some day for a crown 


        A                              D
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
  E                 A     E
A wondrous beauty I see,
          A                       D
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
   E                   A
To pardon and sanctify me.

 
         E                      A 
And I'll cherish the old rugged cross
         D           E          A 
until my trophies at last I lay down  
                               D
I will cling to the old rugged cross 
        A              E         A
And ex- change it some day for a crown 


       A                       D 
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true  
    E                         A     E
Its shame and reproach gladly bear 
           A                      D
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away 
          E                  A
Where His glory forever I'll share 

 
         E                      A 
And I'll cherish the old rugged cross
         D           E          A 
until my trophies at last I lay down  
                               D
I will cling to the old rugged cross 
        A              E         A
And ex- change it some day for a crown