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 Oh, 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 on 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 the 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 To the 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 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 Old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown I will cling to the old rugged cross