Now playing

Old Rugged Cross

Chords

4.554 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Standard Tuning
Capo 2
[Intro]
Em    C    D    Em
[Verse]
EmOn a hill far away Cstood an old rugged cross,
Dthe emblem of suffering Emand shame;
Emand I love that old cross Cwhere the dearest and best
Dfor a world of lost sinnerGs was slain.
[Chorus]
So I'll cDherish the old rugged cGross,
till my tCrophies at last I lay dGown;
I will clGing to the old rugged crCoss,
and exchaGnge it some dDay for a cEmrown.C  
[Verse 2]
EmIn that old rugged cross, Cstained with blood so divine,
a Dwondrous beauty I sEmee,
Emfor 'twas on that old cross JCesus suffered and died,
to pDardon and sanctify Gme.
[Chorus]
So I'll cDherish the old rugged cGross,
till my tCrophies at last I lay dGown;
I will clGing to the old rugged crCoss,
and exchaGnge it some dDay for a cEmrown.
(Em)       C      D  Em  
[Verse 3]
EmTo that old rugged cross CI will ever be true,
its sDhame and reproach gladly bEmear;
Emthen he'll call me some day tCo my home far away,
where his gDlory forever I'll sGhare.
[Chorus]
So ID'll cherish the old rugGged cross,
till my tCrophies at last I lay dGown;
I will clGing to the old rugged crCoss,
and exchGange it some dDay for a cGrown.
(Bridge)
[Chorus]
So I'll cDherish the old rugged cGross,
till my tCrophies at last I lay dGown;
I will clGing to the old rugged crCoss,
and exchaGnge it some dDay for a cEmrown.

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Old Rugged Cross

by Jeff Johnson

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Standard Tuning

Capo 2

[Intro]

Em C D Em

[Verse]

Em C

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

D Em

the emblem of suffering and shame;

Em C

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best

D G

for a world of lost sinners was slain.

[Chorus]

D G

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

C G

till my trophies at last I lay down;

G C

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

G D Em C

and exchange it some day for a crown.

[Verse 2]

Em C

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

D Em

a wondrous beauty I see,

Em C

for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

D G

to pardon and sanctify me.

[Chorus]

D G

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

C G

till my trophies at last I lay down;

G C

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

G D Em

and exchange it some day for a crown.

Em C D Em

()

[Verse 3]

Em C

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,

D Em

its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Em C

then he'll call me some day to my home far away,

D G

where his glory forever I'll share.

[Chorus]

D G

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

C G

till my trophies at last I lay down;

G C

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

G D G

and exchange it some day for a crown.

(Bridge)

[Chorus]

D G

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

C G

till my trophies at last I lay down;

G C

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

G D Em

and exchange it some day for a crown.

About Old Rugged Cross Chords by Jeff Johnson

Learn how to play Old Rugged Cross by Jeff Johnson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Old Rugged Cross chords”, “Old Rugged Cross guitar chords”, or “Jeff Johnson Old Rugged Cross chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Old Rugged Cross chords and for experienced players who want accurate Old Rugged Cross lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, D, G.

FAQ — Old Rugged Cross by Jeff Johnson

How do I play "Old Rugged Cross" by Jeff Johnson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Old Rugged Cross" by Jeff Johnson on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Old Rugged Cross" by Jeff Johnson free?

Yes. The chords for "Old Rugged Cross" by Jeff Johnson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Old Rugged Cross" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Old Rugged Cross" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Old Rugged Cross"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Old Rugged Cross" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Old Rugged Cross" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Old Rugged Cross" by Jeff Johnson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Jeff Johnson below.

What key is "Old Rugged Cross" in?

The chords for "Old Rugged Cross" show the original chord names (including Em, C, D, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.