The Old Rugged Cross
Words and music: George Bennard, 1913 · Tune "Old Rugged Cross" · Public domain
Free: the 1-5-6-4 in all 12 keys, on one large-print sheet. Get it free →
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
Free: four chords in every key
Get the 1-5-6-4 in all 12 keys, free. It is one large-print sheet with the four chords under a lot of the songs you already know. You also get my three-chord starter guide, and one email when a new hymn goes up. It assumes you do not read music.
No cost, and unsubscribe from any email.
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.
Listen →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.
About lessons →