George Bennard – The Old Rugged Cross

Hymnist and evangelist George Bennard is most famous for penning The Old Rugged Cross in 1912.  As an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he preached regularly at The Salvation Army, the organization that helped him convert to Christianity.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

The cross is deeply loved by Bennard, but not because suffering is awesome.  It is where Jesus, the Lamb of God, laid down His life for Bennard’s redemption,  It is through the cross that Bennard yields to His ways and looks forward to eternity with His post-death.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Of course it’s Biblical!  No surprise there.

This song is public domain.

[Verse 1]

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

Also known as Golgotha or “the skull”, Calvary is where Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, and John 19:17). The English name “Calvary” derives from the Vulgate Latin “Calvariae”, which means “skullcap”. Indeed, it was on a hill and, from our perspective, is far away.

the emblem of suffering and shame;

In the 1st century, crucifixion was the height of both humiliation and pain.  It wasn’t talked about in good company.

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

The best person who ever exists is Jesus.  He was innocent (Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:24, John 19:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:21-23, and 1 John 3:5). Yet, while we were sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

[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,

Grateful for Christ’s sacrifice, Bennard will cling to it as he slowly but surely surrenders all (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

and exchange it some day for a crown.

That is, the crown of life (James 1:12).

[Verse 2]

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;

Depending on one’s perspective, the cross is the stench of death or a sweet perfume (2 Corinthians 2:15-17). Bennard’s is the latter.

for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above

The slain Lamb (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:6-8, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1-10, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:7-9, and Revelation 21:9) left His place in heaven to save us (Philippians 2:5-8).

to bear it to dark Calvary. 

See commentary on Verse 1, line 1.

[Verse 3]

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,

See commentary on Verse 2, lines 1 and 2.

for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

Jesus’ death was necessary for our salvation (Hebrews 9:22).

[Verse 4]

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;

See Refrain, lines 1-3.

then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share.

Bennard will experience eternal life with Jesus in His Heavenly Kingdom (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Despite this song’s heavy use of poetic Christianese, they conclude that Bennard hangs onto the cross because Christ died for his sins, causing him to submit to Jesus.  He looks forward to his death, where he will bask in the Presence of the Lamb of God forever.  If words like “cross”, “Lamb of God”, and “Calvary” aren’t dead giveaways to Christianity, I don’t know what is.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One who suffered and died for Bennard’s lawbreaking, whose death brings about forgiveness of sins, the newness of life, and capitulation to His will.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

George Bennard’s The Old Rugged Cross is your garden-variety “ancient” hymn. It has all the hallmarks you would expect to see: Jesus and Christ crucified, man’s surrender to His ways, and life after we die. These points glorify God and are easily understood by those who don’t believe.

I highly recommend this song for anyone looking to add ye olde hymnal to your worship set.  Make sure you sing ALL the Verses!

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Old Rugged Cross (listen to Alan Jackson’s version of the first and fourth Verses of this song)

Artist: George Bennard

Album: N/A

Genre: Country, Hymn

Release Year: 1912

Duration: N/A

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