The Old Rugged Cross | Official Music Video | Redeemed Quartet

Redeemed Quartet presents "The Old Rugged Cross" - one of the most loved hymns of all times - filmed in the exact spot where the song was first sung by the author!

Story Behind The Song:

George Bennard was a traveling evangelist from Iowa around the turn of the century. At a revival meeting in 1912 he was interrupted, ridiculed, harassed and heckled by young people mocking the cross.
This caused George to contemplate the meaning of the cross, and strengthen his resolve to “cherish the old rugged cross”, though “despised by the world”.
Spending many hours in study, prayer and meditation, he at last could say, “I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.”

The beloved hymn was born out of this experience, and in 1913 was performed for the first time in its entirety at the Pokagon Methodist Episcopal Church in Pokagon, Michigan. It was HERE in the same building, 109 years later, that we filmed our version of the treasured Gospel anthem.

To discover more of the exciting history of The Old Rugged Cross Church & Musem, please visit:
http://www.the-oldruggedcross.org/

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

In the old rugged Cross, stain'd with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To pardon and sanctify me

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