What key is "The Old Rugged Cross" in?

"The Old Rugged Cross" by Rev. George Bennard is in the key of C with a tempo of 135 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "The Old Rugged Cross" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "The Old Rugged Cross" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "The Old Rugged Cross" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Rev. George Bennard can I play here?

Try "The Old Rugged Cross", "The Old Rugged Cross", "The Old Rugged Cross". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

On a (C)hill far (C)a way stood an (F)old rug (F)ged cross, (D)the (G)em blem of (G7)suf f’ring and (C)shame;

(G7)and I (C)love that (C)old cross, where the (F)dark est (F)and best (D)for a (G)world of lost (G7)sin ners was (C)slain.

So I’ll (G7)cher ish the old rug ged (C)cross

till my (F)tro phies at last I lay (C)down.

I will (C)cling to the old rug ged (F)cross

and ex (C)change it some (G7)day for a (C)crown.

To the (C)old rug (C)ged cross I will (F)ev er (F)be true, (D)its (G)shame and re (G7)proach glad ly (C)bear;

(G7)then He’ll (C)call me (C)some day to my (F)home far (F)a way, (D)where His (G)glo ry for (G7)ev er I’ll (C)share.

So I’ll (G7)cher ish the old rug ged (C)cross

till my (F)tro phies at last I lay (C)down.

I will (C)cling to the old rug ged (F)cross

and ex (C)change it some (G7)day for a (C)crown.

To the (C)crown.

The Old Rugged Cross by Rev. George Bennard

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 135 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “The Old Rugged Cross”

What key is "The Old Rugged Cross" in?: "The Old Rugged Cross" by Rev. George Bennard is in the key of C with a tempo of 135 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "The Old Rugged Cross" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "The Old Rugged Cross" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "The Old Rugged Cross" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Rev. George Bennard can I play here?: Try "The Old Rugged Cross", "The Old Rugged Cross", "The Old Rugged Cross". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.