twas a life filled with aimless desperation without hope walked the shell of a man then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward just one touch then a new life began chorus and the old rugged cross made the difference in a life bound for heartache and defeat i will praise him forever and ever for the cross made the difference for me barren walls echoed harshness and anger little feet run in terror to hide now those walls ring with love warmth and laughter since the giver of life moved inside repeat chorus there s a room filled with sad ashen faces without hope death has wrapped them in gloom but at the side of a saint there s rejoicing for life can t be sealed in a tomb repeat chorus