Legendary Country Singer Merle Haggard Sings “The Old Rugged Cross” Gospel Hymn

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.

Merle Haggard, in full Merle Ronald Haggard, (born April 6, 1937, Oildale, California, U.S.—died April 6, 2016, near Redding, California), American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, one of the most popular country music performers of the late 20th century, with nearly 40 number one country hits between the late 1960s and the mid-1980s.

Haggard won numerous awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and 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. (Source: Britannica.com)

Top Songs of Merle Haggard

• Lovely Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens Medley: Faded Love / A Maiden’s Prayer
• Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens – “Just Between the Two of Us”
• Merle Haggard – “The Farmer’s Daughter” [Live from Austin, Texas, USA]
• Beautiful Merle Haggard Song: “What Am I Gonna Do With The Rest Of My Life” Live from Austin, TEXAS
• Merle Haggard “If We Make it Through December” (Live Performance)
• Merle Haggard Classic: “Listening To The Wind” (Live Performance)
• Merle Haggard – “One Day At A Time” (Country Gospel Song)

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