The Old Rugged Cross - the story behind the classic hymn

George Bennard's hymn has been called 'the most popular hymn of the 20th century'. Is it your favourite? Deep words about the meaning of the cross give this hymn an enduring quality.
00:30 History
02:57 Lyrics
A special performance which friends and I recorded in lockdown: • "The Old Rugged Cross"...
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1 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.
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.
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 bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
3 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. [Refrain]
4 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. [Refrain]

[@bobbieallen3419]

My grandmother's favorite hymn she taught this to me when I was 8yrs old played at her memorial and also at my mom's when the time comes it will be played for me also I never hear this without the memories of the two who told me of Jesus and his love. It always makes me cry knowing he is our greatest gift ever Thank you Father God for for your precious son Jesus hallelujah

[@sharylcherwa7369]

My Brother's & I were taken away from our Real Mother when we were young for being an Unfit Mother. I was About 8 years old. We went to live with my Dad & Our Grandmother would pick us up to go to church with her. They sang the old Rugged Cross. We Moved & my Grandmother Died so I didn't go to church for years. But when I was in my early 20's I got invited to a church & when they sang the old Rugged Cross I started crying. I hadn't heard it since I was little. I ended up getting Saved at that church. I'm almost 70 years old. It's been over 50 years but that Song Holds a Special Place in my Heart. I am Thankful to God & to Jesus for going to that Old Rugged Cross for me. Paying for my Sin With His Precious Blood. Thank you for sharing the History to the Old Hymns. They are Full of God's Word and many Truths that the Music of Today is Definitely Lacking. Thank you Again. ❤

[@donnashelton464]

My father was a Chaplin in the Air Force when I was young. After getting out he was an interim pastor in a church in Memphis, Tenn. for a while. Sunday night service was very informal with daddy allowing people to request what song they wanted to sing. I would always request "The Old Rugged Cross". I was 9 years old and was baptized in that church. I have very fond memories of those Sunday nights and that song. I go to a full gospel church now and wish we sang some of the wonderful old hymns I sang in my youth!

[@mrs.g.9816]

When my mom was in hospital for stage four cancer, she and her roommate was visited by a young man from a local church who sang and played guitar. Both Mom and her roommate requested "The Old Rugged Cross". My mom had suffered hardship and heartache most of her life, but was so patient, loving and devout, so I know this hymn spoke to her. I'm sure she is wearing a crown!

[@BigThicketBling]

Every time I hear this song it bring back a childhood memory of my mother singing this beautiful hymn in the car on trips. Such a special time for me and my siblings!

[@StitchesandPrayersVlog-cast]

This is my Daddy's favorite and I will forever think of him when I hear it!

[@nevillemuamba8318]

First time I heard this song was many years ago when I was 4 , in Mbuji mayi a little town in Congo, this song was sung in Tshiluba (my native tongue) At some point I backslid , but then Jesus came into my life and rescued me, now from that moment whenever I hear this song , I get really emotional

[@lizhorn1310]

I am 71years of age and know and serve the Lord for more than 40years and I always loved this song.

[@johnmurryvlogs8603]

Excellent ❤

[@noonatonga225]

A beloved hymn from years ago and we still sing it in church.

[@sgfx]

I don't sing, not even in the shower. I love listening to a congregation sing, especially the old hymns. But this one song I've whistled for as long as I can remember. Once in third grade, I was whistling this song while standing in line at the cafeteria. The girl next to me scolded me, saying "Why are you whistling that song? We're not in church!"

[@NnaemekaAbraham]

I first heard this hymn at Deeper Life Bible Church Easter Retreat. I so much love this hymn

[@melaniem8040]

I really appreciate this channel! It brings me joy to hear the stories behind the hymns.

[@dianatanner55]

This hymn continues to remind me of what He did on the cross for a sinner like me

[@lilianleroux3122]

Beautiful hymn always brings back memories of my mom and dad.

[@dasterley]

Beautiful & Stunning. Thanks for all this great history on biblical songs. Amen.

[@sharylcherwa7369]

P.S. I sang this to my 4 youngest kids while they were growing up. I would sing them to Sleep.

[@louisebrislane6607]

The emblem of suffering & shame... Recently I was reminded that when the men were nailed to the crosses they were stripped naked to bring shame upon them & their family. We are so used to paintings or films with a loin cloth that we don't realise that this has been added. Also the article said that women also were hung naked but they faced the cross instead but that too would be shocking!! The crosses usually lined each side of the highways & the bodies hung for days at a time until they were dead & taken down for burial. It must have been so horrible as everyone walked the highways & so it would have been a common sight in the time of Jesus to see these crosses hanging. Things we don't think about in our modern age but things may change as the time of the second coming draws near!! I think of the two witnesses who are left in the streets of Jerusalem so that people can pass by in their thousands just to gloat until suddenly they stand up after 3 days & go home to their eternal reward.

[@suzanneroach6065]

Always loved this hymn as my mother sang it and I was very familiar with it. Whenever I hear it in church I shed tears . It was played in a church service in N.Z. When we visited my son and I just started crying. Too emotional a hymn .

[@LukePowellMinistries]

A very special hymn!

[@darranthompson6464]

My grandmother’s favorite

[@belindahussein2028]

I learnt the old rugged cross when I became a Christian at the age of thirteen

[@cinmo523]

My Mom used to rock my sisters and i and sing this to us when we were little. I laid beside her in her bed a week before she passed and sang this song to her.

[@joesielskisr4911]

I was told Red Foley Pat Boone 's Father in law sang it

[@tednelson6376]

I asked My mom, what her favorite hymn was and she told me “The Old Rugged Cross”

[@diconstable2268]

So meaningful