The Old Rugged Cross

by Rev. George Bennard

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Lyrics

On a hill

far a way

stood an old

rug ged cross,

The a em blem of suf f’ring and shame;

And I love

that old cross

where the dear

est and best

For a world of lost sin ners was slain.

So I’ll cher ish the old rug ged cross,

Till my tro phies at last I lay down;

I will cling

to the old rug ged cross,

And ex change it one day for a crown.

O that old

rug ged cross,

so de spised

by the world,

Has a won drous at trac tion for me;

For the dear

Lamb of God

left His glo

ry a bove

To a bear it to dark Cal va ry.

I’ll cher ish the old rug ged cross,

Till my tro phies at last I lay down;

I will cling

to the old rug ged cross,

And ex change it one day for a crown.

O that crown.

The Old Rugged Cross by Rev. George Bennard — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Old Rugged Cross by Rev. George Bennard in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of G at 90 BPM, a slightly more challenging arrangement — practice each phrase slowly first.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Same song, different levels

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Old Rugged Cross" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "The Old Rugged Cross"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.