The Old Rugged Cross

Sung by Dale Grubaugh. WORDS AND TUNE OLD RUGGED CROSS, GEORGE BERNARD, 1913.

FIRST VERSE:

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.

SECOND VERSE:

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 on dark Calvary.

THIRD VERSE:

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see;

For t’was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me.

FOURTH VERSE:

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.

CHORUS:

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 someday for a crown.

SMYRNA BAPTIST CHURCH NEAR OZARK, MISSOURI) A few weeks ago, State of the Ozarks recorded Elias Tucker (Pastor Dale Grubaugh) singing as his wife Dannette played the piano.

Few sounds evoke memories of tradition, church, fellowship and the holiday season more than a strong voice and unadorned but beautiful piano playing.

As the music sounded out in the century-old church of rural Parch Corn Holler, a little bit of Ozark history was preserved.