The Old Rugged Cross

Jerry Lee Lewis · Other Songs - Jerry Lee Lewis

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.



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.



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 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.



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.

The Old Rugged Cross

Jerry Lee Lewis delivers a powerhouse performance of 'The Old Rugged Cross,' blending his signature rock and roll energy with the traditional gospel hymn. Recorded in the mid-1950s, the track exemplifies Lewis's ability to reinterpret sacred music through a secular, electric lens, a hallmark of his early discography. The song showcases his raw vocal delivery and driving guitar work, capturing the fervor of the era while establishing him as a key figure in the transition from country and gospel to rock and roll. It remains a definitive example of his unique style, merging spiritual themes with the rebellious spirit that defined his career.