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 were slain And 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, the dark Calvary That the old rugged cross I'll ever be true It's 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