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Free chord chart

The Old Rugged Cross

Words and music: George Bennard, 1913 · Tune "Old Rugged Cross" · Public domain

Change the key and every chord below moves with it — useful when a singer needs it lower, or when the worship leader modulates and you need it now. Nothing to install, nothing to sign up for.

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Verse 1

BbOn a hill Bbdim7far a-Bbway

 stood an Ebold Ebdim7rugged Ebcross,

Cthe F7emblem of suffering and Bbshame;

Bband I love Bbdim7that old Bbcross

 where the Ebdear-Ebdim7est and Ebbest

Cfor a F7world of lost sin-Bbners F7was Bbslain.

Refrain (after every verse)

FSo BbI'll F7cherish the old rugged Bbcross,

Bbtill my Ebtrophies at last I lay Bbdown;

BbI will cling to the old Ebrug-Bbged Ebcross,

Eband ex-Bbchange F7it Bbsome F7day for a Bbcrown.

Verse 2

BbOh, that old Bbdim7rugged Bbcross

 so de-Ebspised Ebdim7by the Ebworld,

Chas a F7wondrous attraction for Bbme;

Bbfor the dear Bbdim7Lamb of BbGod

 left his Ebglo-Ebdim7ry a-Ebbove

Cto F7bear it to dark BbCal-F7va-Bbry.

Verse 3

BbIn that old Bbdim7rugged Bbcross

 stained with Ebblood Ebdim7so di-Ebvine,

Ca F7wondrous beauty I Bbsee,

Bbfor 'twas on Bbdim7that old Bbcross

 Jesus Ebsuf-Ebdim7fered and Ebdied,

Cto F7pardon and sanc-Bbti-F7fy Bbme.

Verse 4

BbTo the old Bbdim7rugged Bbcross

 I will Ebev-Ebdim7er be Ebtrue;

Cits F7shame and reproach gladly Bbbear;

Bbthen he'll call Bbdim7me some Bbday

 to my Ebhome Ebdim7far a-Ebway,

Cwhere his F7glory forev-Bber F7I'll Bbshare.

Chords in the key of B♭

  • Bb
  • Bbdim7
  • Eb
  • Ebdim7
  • C
  • F7
  • F

Take it further

Hear how it goes

Hear The Old Rugged Cross on piano with these chords, then the Sunday Version with the gospel moves we play in church.

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This hymn in three keys, and 49 more

The 50 Hymns for the Church Pianist collection has this hymn in three keys with every verse, a Sunday Version with gospel moves, and big keyboard pictures. Large print and regular print.

See the collection →

Why these chords work

Gospel Piano Chords by Ear is the book behind these charts — how to hear the I, IV and V, and how to move between them without reading music.

About the book →

Learn it with Henry

Online lessons, by ear, from the author of the book — a camera on the keys and this hymn ready for Sunday.

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