The Old Rugged Cross

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The Old Rugged Cross is a popular Christian song written in 1913 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873-1958).

Bennard wrote this gospel song after a difficult experience during a New York campaign, and the song was premiered on June 7, 1913, at the Pokagon Church, Michigan, by Frank Virgil, Clara Virgil, William Thaldort, Olive Marrs, and Florence Jones. Published in 1915, it was popularized during Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns by two members of his campaign staff, Homer Rodeheaver and Virginia Asher, who were perhaps also the first to record it. The Old Rugged Cross uses a sentimental popular song form with a verse/chorus pattern in 3/4 time, and it speaks of the writer's Christian experience rather than his adoration of God.

Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry.

The Old Rugged Cross remains enormously popular and has been performed by some of the twentieth century's most important recording artists, including: Al Green, Anne Murray, Brad Paisley, Chet Atkins, Elvis Presley, Floyd Cramer, George Jones, Jimmy Reeves, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Mahalia Jackson, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Ricky Van Shelton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Statler Brothers, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson.