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 someday 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 someday for a crown our lord was near death when he gave this cry eli eli lama sabachthani my god my god why hast thou forsaken me think of the tremendous love and devotion that our lord had in suffering such shame and such agony as he was on that old rugged cross will exchange it someday for a crown 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 and exchange it someday some sweet day for a crown