“The Old Rugged Cross”

George Bennard (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“The Old Rugged Cross” is a popular Christian song written in 1912 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873-1958).

George Bennard, was a native of Youngstown, Ohio but was reared in Iowa. After his conversion in a Salvation Army meeting, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the Methodist Church. As a Methodist evangelist, Bennard wrote the first verse of the gospel song, “The Old Rugged Cross” in Albion, Michigan, in the fall of 1912. Charles H. Gabriel, a well-known gospel-song composer helped Bennard with the harmonies. The completed version was first performed on June 7th, 1913, by a choir of five in Pokagon Michigan. Published in 1915, the song was popularized during Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns by two members of his campaign staff, Homer Rodeheaver (who bought rights to the song for $500) and Virginia Asher, who were perhaps also the first to record it in 1921. The Old Rugged Cross uses a sentimental popular song form with a verse/chorus pattern in 3/4 time, and it speaks of the writer’s Christian experience rather than his adoration of God. Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry.

“The Old Rugged Cross” remains enormously popular and has been performed by some of the twentieth century’s most important recording artists, including: Al Green, Anne Murray, Brad Paisley, Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, Floyd Cramer, George Jones, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Kevin Max, Mahalia Jackson, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Ricky Van Shelton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Statler Brothers, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, and George Beverly Shea. The song was also sung on “Gridlock,” an episode of the long-running sci-fi drama series Doctor Who.

Lyrics

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.
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.

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.

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,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

More links about George Bennard:

• George Bennard 1873-1958
• Classical Hymns by George Bennard

Youtube video of “The Old Rugged Cross:”

• “The Old Rugged Cross” by Alan Jackson
• John Berry sings “The Old Rugged Cross”
• Brad Paisley sings “The Old Rugged Cross”
• “The Old Rugged Cross,” by Johnny Cash
• Lewis George performs “The Old Rugged Cross”

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• holding a nail… (trishborgdorff.wordpress.com)
• Sound Doctrine is a Must! (writethesongs101.wordpress.com)

The Raising of Lazarus

Of Martha you’ve already heard,

Who entertained the Lord

When once He passed through Bethany,

And Mary heard His word.

 * * *

They had a brother, Lazarus,

And Jesus loved the three,

And now the young man was brought

low,

And very ill was he.

* * *

And his sisters sent a message

Unto the Lord, in haste :

“Behold, he whom Thou lovest well

Is sick and failing fast.”

* * *

But Jesus said :”This sickness

Comes not that he must die,

But for God’s glory, that His Son

Be glorified thereby.

* * *

“Our friend, Lazarus, sleepeth,”

Were the next words He spake :

“And I go hence that I may him

Out of his sleep awake.”

 * * *

Then said they : “Lord, if Laz’rus sleep

He surely shall do well”–

Thinking that it was natural rest

That o’er his eyelids fell.

 * * *

Then He said, plainly : “Lazarus

Is cold and still in death.

But well, for your sakes, ’tis that I

Went not while he had breath.

 * * *

“For so your faith shall be made bright,

That may be somewhat dim;

But now arise and leave this place,

That we may go to him.”

* * *

Then Thomas said–called Didymus–

To the disciples all,

”Let’s go, that we may die with Him,

If death should Him befall.”

* * *

And now all hearts are sad and still,

And many throb with fear,

As Jesus and His followers

To Bethany draw near.

* * *

And those who meet Him tell the news

Of sorrow and of gloom,

That Lazarus has already lain

Three days within his tomb.

* * *

Now Bethany was very near

Unto Jerusalem;

And many to the sisters came,

To see, and comfort them.

 * * *

And as they sat in silence,

Their hearts with grief bowed down,

The word was brought that Jesus

Was coming into town.

* * *

Then Martha went to meet the Christ,

And said unto Him : “Lord,

If Thou hadst been here, my brother

Had recovered by Thy word.”

 * * *

“Thy brother,” thus the answer came,

“Shall rise again, I say.”

“Yea, in the resurrection morn,”

She said, “at the last day.”

* * *

“I am the resurrection, and

The Life,” the Lord replied.

“He that upon my name believes

Shall live, though he had died.”

 * * *

“Oh, Lord,” she answered fervently,

“I truly do believe

Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,

Whom this world should receive.”

* * *

When Jesus saw the sister’s tears,

And tears of those around,

He groaned in spirit and was sad,

With troubled thoughts profound.

 * * *

He said to them : “Where have ye laid

Your friend and mine to sleep?”

They say to Him : “Lord, come and see,

Then all beheld Him weep.

 * * *

And then they took away the stone

From where the dead was laid,

And Jesus lifted up His eyes,

And solemnly He said :

* * *

“Father I thank Thee that Thou hast

Heard my heart’s secret prayer,

And I know that Thou dost always

Bow down to me Thine ear.”

 * * *

And when He thus had spoken,

He cried in accents loud :

“Lazarus, come forth,” and the dead

Came forth, bound in his shroud,

* * *

And his face bound with a napkin;

His movements thus were slow;

But Jesus called out, with command:

“Loose him and let him go.”

* * *

Then O, what deep and solemn joy

The sisters’ hearts conceived!

While many of the Jews around

On Jesus Christ believed.

They Brought Little Children to Him

One day the mother, who believed,

Their little children brought,

And from the Master’s gentle hand

A gracious blessing sought.

* * *

But the disciples, in their zeal,

Said: “Take these children home,

They’re in the way of older ones,

Who for some good have come.”

* * *

But Jesus loved the little lambs,

And much displeased was He,

Saying: “Suffer little children,

That they may come to me.

* * *

“For ’tis such innocents as these

That God’s high kingdom win;

And all must have as simple hearts

Who gain a place therein.”

 * * *

Then gently lifting in His arms,

And folding to His breast,

He put His hands upon their heads,

And every infant blest.

Fortells His Death

Then Jesus took the twelve apart,

And gravel said to them :

“Behold, we now are on our way

Up the Jerusalem,

* * *

“And all things that the prophets wrote

About the Son of Man,

Shall be accomplished in that place,

True to the ancient plan.

 * * *

“And He shall be betrayed unto

The chief priest and the scribes,

Delivered up to the Gentiles,

And mocked with taunts and jibes;

 * * *

“And they shall scourge and spit upon,

And crucify your Lord ;

The third day He shall rise again,

According to His Word.”

* * *

The apostles listened, yet these things

They could not realize;

The meaning of the truths they heard

Was hidden from their eyes.

Parable of the Pounds

And as the people all around

Attentively did hear,

Believing that God’s kingdom would

Without delay appear;

 * * *

He taught the listening company,

By parable profound,

How God expects His faithful ones

To occupy His ground.

* * *

And as He does commit to them

Ten pounds, or five, or one,

He will reward them, at the last,

By what they each have done.

 * * *

And having finished His discourse,

Wisely instructing them,

He went before them, in the way,

Up to Jerusalem.

Entry into Jerusalem

The morning rose with peaceful skies,

The first day of the week,

And Jesus forthwith went His way,

Jerusalem to seek.

* * *

He knew what waited Him–the thought

His lofty spirit thrilled–

That all His Father’s work be done,

And Scripture be fulfilled.

* * *

Along the road towards Olive’s mount–

That oft-trod road–He went,

Then two of His disciples

Into Bethphage He sent;

 * * *

And said :”Into the village go,

Where straightway ye shall see

An ass tied, and a colt with her;

Loose them and bring to me.

* * *

“If any may say aught to you,

This shall be your reply :

‘The Lord hath need of them,’ then he

Will cheerfully comply.”

* * *

Then the disciples went their way,

And found, as they were bidden,

An ass tied, and a colt, whereon

No man had ever ridden.

 * * *

And their owners, as they loosed them,

Inquired : “Why do ye so?”

They said : “The Lord hath need of

them.”

And then they let them go.

* * *

And they brought them unto Jesus,

And put on them their clothes ;

And Jesus rode upon the colt,

while loud Hosannahs rose.

* * *

And multitudes of people spread

Their garments in the way,

While others strewed palm branches where

The Master rode that day.

* * *

And “Hosannah, Son of David!”

They cried with one accord,

“Blessed is He that cometh thus

In the name of the Lord!”

 * * *

But the Pharisees said : “Master,

Rebuke the noisy shout.”

Said Jesus : “Should they hold their

peace,

The stones would then cry out.”

 * * *

Now they descend fair Olive’s Mount,

Jerusalem appears

And Jesus beholds the city,

And over it sheds tears,

 * * *

Saying :”Hadst thou but known the

things

Which belong to thy peace:

But now from thine eyes they are hid;

Thy day of hope shall cease.”

* * *

The city’s gate they enter now;

Much moved, the people say :

“Who is this?” Some answer : “Jesus,

Prophet of Galilee.”

 * * *

Then to the temple went the Lord,

To clear its spacious courts

Of those who bought and sold within

Its sanctified resorts.

* * *

And when the chief priests and scribes

saw

His wondrous works and ways,

And children in the temple courts

Shouting these words of praise :

* * *

“Hosannah to great David’s Son!”

They very angry were,

And said to Him : “These babbling cries

Around, dost thou not hear?”

* * *

And Jesus saith unto them: “Yea,

Have ye not read the Word :

‘The mouths of babes and sucklings doth

Thy perfect praise accord?’”

* * *

The Pharisees, among themselves,

Said : “Do ye not perceive

That ye prevail naught while the world

Doth on this man believe?”

The Corn of Wheat

And while He taught the people all,

From highest to the least,

Some Greeks appeared, who had come up

To worship at the feast.

* * *

The same approached to Philip, who

Was of Bethsaida,

Saying : “Sir, we would the Master see,

And from Him knowledge draw.”

* * *

Phillip and Andrew went apart,

And they informed the Lord

That polished strangers, standing near,

Desired to hear His word.

* * *

“The hour–the long-approaching hour–

Is come,” the Lord replied,

“When I should close my earthly work,

And should be glorified.

* * *

“Verily, I say unto you,

Except a corn of wheat

Sink in the ground and die, it will

Alone produce no meat.

* * *

“But if it die, it brings forth fruit;

And he that life doth love

Shall lose it : he that hates it gains

Eternal life above.

  * * *

“If any man will serve me, then

Let him come after me;

And where I am, there, also, shall

My faithful servant be.

* * *

“Now is my soul in agony,

And what more shall I say?

Father, save me from this sad hour,

My human heart would pray,

* * *

“But for this cause–that I might die–

Unto this hour I came,

So in my heart I cry : “Father,

Glorify thine own name!”

* * *

Then came there a voice from heaven,

Saying, in clearest strain :

“I have glorified it, and I

Will glorify it again.”

* * *

The people standing by were sure

That thunder shook the air;

But others said : “Not so, it is

An angel’s voice we hear.”

 * * *

Jesus answered, and said : “This voice

Came not because of me,

But that ye all might understand

The power of Deity.

 * * *

“Now is the judgment of this world;

Its prince cast out shall be;

And I, if I be lifted up,

Will draw all men to me.”

At the Palace of the High Priest

And as He spake, behold a crowd

With lanterns and with swords;

And Judas, traitor, came before,

With a kiss and guileful words.

* * *

But He who reads all hearts, and points

To what He finds amiss,

Said : “Judas, dost thou thus betray

Thy Master with a kiss?”

* * *

Then gently turning to the crowd,

He asked them : “Whom seek ye!”

They said : “Jesus of Nazareth.”

He answered : “I am he.”

* * *

And the armed band led Jesus

Along the city road,

Up to the high priest’s palace–

Caiaphas’ abode.

* * *

Meanwhile sat Peter by the fire,

Wondering how this would end,

And feeling wholly powerless

His Master to defend.

* * *

A servant, passing said to him :

“Thou with this man hast been.”

But Peter in great fear replied :

“I know not what you mean.”

* * *

And soon another said he had

Of Jesus’ friends been one

But Peter cursed and swore that he

Had never Jesus known.

* * *

Just then the cock crew, shrill and clear.

And Jesus turned His face,

And full on Peter cast a look

Of love, reproach and grace.

* * *

Then over Peter’s aching heart

Repentant anguish swept,

And he rushed out into the dawn.

And bitterly he wept.

Christ Before Pilate

And now the morning beams appeared

The council of the Jews

Led Jesus to the judgment hall,

That they might Him accuse.

 * * *

And Pilate gathered to his aid

Chief priests and rulers all,

And Jesus stood before him in

The royal judgment hall.

* * *

And Pilate said unto them : “Ye

Have brought this man to me,

Saying, ‘He perverts the people,’

But no fault in Him I see.

* * *

“Nor yet Herod; for I sent you

With your prisoner to the king;

But no offence to Roman law

Could you against Him bring.

* * *

“I, therefore, will chastise Him

And order Him released;”

For ’twas custom he should free to them

A prisoner at the feast.

* * *

But they exclaimed : “Away with Him,”

And cried, with one accord,

That he release Barabbas,

And crucify the Lord.

* * *

Now Barabbas was a robber,

And they knew his record well;

He for murder and sedition

Lay in a prison cell.

 * * *

“Why, what great evil hath He done?”

Pilate, the third time saith;

For he knew it was for envy

That they desired His death.

Pilate’s Wifte’s Dream

Again upon the judgment seat,

To end this cruel strife,

Sat Pilate, when a servant came

With message from his wife.

 * * *

“Beware”–the word the lady sent–

“That thou no evil do

To Him who stands before thee now–

That man so just and true.

* * *

“For I while sleeping on my bed,

Have suffered, in a dream,

Much anguish and distress of mind,

This day, because of Him.”

* * *

Then Pilate saith to Jesus :

“Art thou the very king

The Jews expected should appear,

And their salvation bring?”

* * *

“My kingdom,” Jesus answered,

“Is not beneath the skies,

Else to protect me from the Jews

My servants would arise.”

* * *

“Art thou a king, then?” Pilate asked.

“Thou sayest it,” the reply;

“For I was born, and hither came,

The truth to testify.”

 * * *

Pilate said to Him ” What is truth?”

Then left the judgment hall,

And said unto the Jews : “I find

In Him no fault at all.”

* * *

Then Pilate, taking water, washed

His hands before them all;

And said : “This just man’s blood on me

Shall not in judgment fall.”

* * *

Then answered all the people :

“Let this man’s blood be shed;

And let it fall on each of us,

And on our children’s head.”