Merle Haggard is an icon of country music. During his long career, Merle Haggard received numerous awards from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards). He recorded a wonderful version of this classic hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” I believe that as he sang this song, he had a deep encounter with the Lord Jesus. God bless his heart.

About Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard is an icon of country music. His full name is Merle Ronald Haggard. Born April 6, 1937 at Oildale, California, United States. He is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, one of the most popular country music performers of the late 20th century. Merle got nearly 40 number one country hits songs between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s. Merle Haggard won numerous awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. In 1984 he captured a Grammy Award for best country vocal performance for “That’s the Way Love Goes.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2007). In 2010 Haggard was named a Kennedy Center honoree. He died April 6, 2016, near Redding, California. His legacy of music lives on!

The Old Rugged Cross Lyrics

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners were slain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
It’s shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away
Where His glory for ever I’ll share

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

In thee old rugged cross stained with blood so divine
A wondrous beauty I see
For twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

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Tags: gospel, country song, Merle Haggard, country music