The Old Rugged Cross
"The Old Rugged Cross" | |
---|---|
Genre | Methodist hymn |
Written | 1912 |
Text | by George Bennard |
Meter | 6.6.8.6.6.8.9.9.9.9 |
Melody | by George Bennard |
Published | 1915 |
"The Old Rugged Cross" is a popular hymn written in 1912 by American evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873–1958).
History
George Bennard was a native of
8 time, and it speaks of the writer's adoration of Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary. Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry.[7] A memorial has also been created in Youngstown at Lake Park Cemetery.[8]
Influence
"The Old Rugged Cross" has been a
Lyrics
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff'ring and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
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
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 to 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, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me
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
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
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
Media
In his art parody volume Art Afterpieces, Ward Kimball created a variation on the painting Expulsion from Paradise by the 15th-century artist Giovanni di Paolo, which shows God pointing at a large circle below him. Kimball centered the record label of "The Old Rugged Cross", as published by Victor, on the circle in the picture, complete with the trademark of Nipper (His Master's Voice).
In On A Pale Horse, “The Old Rugged Cross” is played as the last request of a dying man.
In Series 3, Episode 3 ("Gridlock") of Doctor Who, "The Old Rugged Cross" is broadcast to citizens of New New York as they traverse the motorway.
In Series 4, Episode 5 of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, "The Old Rugged Cross" is sung by Hetty (played by Patricia Routledge) and a local male voice choir.
In the 2019 film Just Mercy, "The Old Rugged Cross" plays in the background as Herbert Richardson is executed.
In the 2021 Showtime miniseries Dexter: New Blood episode "The Family Business", a version of the song, performed by L Shape Lot, can be heard playing in Elric Kane's vehicle as he drives Dexter to the remote cabin of Kurt Caldwell.
Notes
References
Citations
- ISBN 0825434335.
- ^ Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 Hymn Stories (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1982), 255.
- ^ a b Mumford, Lou (2013-09-14). "Famous Hymn Still Resonates". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
- ^ The Story of the Old Rugged Cross at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Sturgeon Bay: John H. Baxter, 1947), 6.
- ^ William J. Reynolds, Songs of Glory: Stories of 300 Great Hymns and Gospel Songs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), 219-20.
- ^ Thurl Ravenscroft, Great Hymns in Story and Song (Light Records, 1970)
- ^ Reed City Museum Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- The Vindicator. 2009-03-29. Archived from the originalon 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
- RCA Victor Records as catalog number 21-0344 (in USA) and by EMI on the His Master's Voicelabel as catalog numbers IP 875 and JD 393.
Sources
- Kevin Mungons and Douglas Yeo, Homer Rodeheaver and the Rise of the Gospel Music Industry (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2021).
- "'The Old Rugged Cross' Written in Albion" Albion Recorder, 13 April 1998.
- Short biography of Bennard from Famous Iowans.
- "Bennard, George" in W. K. McNeil, ed., Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music (Routledge, 2005), 34.
- Cyberhymnal
- The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site
External links
- Video on YouTube(acoustic guitar version)
- 1920 recording with Mrs. William Asher and Homer Rodeheaver