Key: G 
 
Verse 1: 
      G                                    C                   
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, 
         D               C    D            G       
The emblem of suffering and shame; 
           G                                              C           
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best 
            D                C   D            G 
For a world of lost sinners was slain. 
 
Chorus: 
             D                                 G                              
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 
              C                             G 
Till my trophies at last I lay down; 
         G                                    C   Am     
I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
               G                   D            G 
And exchange it someday for a crown. 
 
Verse 2:    
            G                                     C           
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, 
              D                C   D       G 
Has a wondrous attraction for me; 
              G                                        C 
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above 
      D              C   D     G 
To bear it to dark Calvary. 
 
Chorus: 
             D                                 G                              
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 
              C                             G 
Till my trophies at last I lay down; 
         G                                    C   Am     
I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
               G                   D            G 
And exchange it someday for a crown. 
 
Verse 3:               
            G                                                C      
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, 
      D             C   D    G 
A wondrous beauty I see, 
                G                                     C  
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, 
       D                 C   D   G 
To pardon and sanctify me. 
 
Chorus: 
             D                                 G                              
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 
              C                             G 
Till my trophies at last I lay down; 
         G                                    C   Am     
I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
               G                   D            G 
And exchange it someday for a crown. 
 
Verse 4: 
            G                                 C 
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; 
         D                   C         D      G 
Its shame and reproach gladly bear; 
                   G                                        C    
Then He’ll call me some day with the Lord I will stay, 
                    D       C D         G 
Where His glory forever I’ll share. 
 
Chorus: 
             D                                 G                              
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, 
              C                             G 
Till my trophies at last I lay down; 
         G                                    C   Am     
I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
               G                   D            G 
And exchange it someday for a crown. 
 
Outro: 
         G                                    C   Am     
I will cling to the old rugged cross, 
               G                   D            G 
And exchange it someday for a crown.