Lyrics
There's an old rugged cross roughly hewn from a tree
Where our savior would die to set us all free
And the roughly hewn lumber formed into a cross
Became the symbol of suffering and heartache and loss
For they'd place a crown of thorns on His head
And the wound in His side how it so freely bled
Yes that tree was an emblem of suffering and pain
Where are Savior was hung and eventually slain
It was the tree that would carry our King to His death
Yet He prayed for our sins with His dying breath
Now that old rugged cross is the emblem of life
A place we can leave all our suffering and strife
We can hang them all there from that dying tree
A place for our burdens where we're finally free
Yes that old rugged cross roughly hewn from a tree
Now the symbol of life and refuge for me
Oh I'll place my sin 'neath that old rugged cross
Where are lives are changed all because of His loss
For there He exchanged that cross through His grace
And gave us the tree of life in its place
Yes there He exchanged that cross through His grace
And He gave us the tree of life in its place
Oh that old rugged cross roughly hewn from a tree
Now the symbol of life is a refuge for me