I'm 86 years old and still remember every word to this hymn from when I first learned it when I was just learning to read and to play the piano, about 80 years ago. I still love that old cross!!!!
It is interesting how some of the hymns most associated with what some would call sentimentality actually have a depth to them that is easy to miss. I grew up when these hymns seemed trite to me, but over the course of my life, I have come to appreciate they have more depth than is often appreciated. I think a lot of that depth is dependent on how they are performed and presented. Their strength can get lost without a strong performance. The organ is an instrument allowing them to be presented with a strength often missed.
Thank you for doing this. Iwishi had the means to help you do this. I enjoy the way you explain why you do this and your love of these peaceful old churches where you can pursue your passion for playing old organs just for your enjoyment and sharing them with your followers. I am a dedicated follower of your videos. I love my solitude and the freedom to spend my time alone pursuing just what pleases me. At87 years old I believe this is a good way to spend what time Ihave left on this earth. I live in a fast growing city with many modern attractions I could pursue but I prefer these quiet days enjoying just what pleases me each day. I worked several different places and enjoyed my association with the people I worked with at the same time I was married in a less than good relationship and raised my four children spending most of my waking hours taking care of others and providing income to have a nice middle class life but now I am able to concentrate on what pleases me each day and it is a luxury I cherish. Again, I thank you for making today better for me.
I love this hymn. It brings tears to my eyes. I play it on the Organ in our Church on Good Fridays. Thank you for playing it so wonderfully and sharing it with us.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross. The emblem of suffering and shame. And I loved that old cross where the dearest and best - for a world of lost sinners - was slain. So I will cherish the old rugged cross 'til my trophies at last I'll lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday, for a crown.
Yet another perfect example why I'm glad that I discovered your channel: not only are you a brilliant musician but you also chose wonderful hymns and organ classics - and last not least there is this amazing organ. What a gem!
Hi Ben. We certainly love this old hymn. The Old rugged cross on the hill no longer has His body hanging on it. He's now waiting for us on the other side. Blessings.
How beautiful. I felt your heart reaching out to us through your music. You must have a great love for that old him, as do I. Thank you for sharing with us and posting this. You play beautifully.
I haven't been to many funerals where this particular wasn't played. This was sung by the congregation at my mother's, my father's, both sets of grandparents, my pastor's most recently, as well as the funerals of other family members and friends...who all were Christians. This hymn speaks tremendous spiritual, theological truth, and the last verse, "...until I exchange it one day for a crown." brings absolute comfort, to the Believer.
I'll cherish the old rugged cross (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
You play beautifully. I have always loved hymns and I pray that more churches would return to the reverence of the hymns. I have no problem with modern Christian songs but they don’t often stir the spirit the way hymns do.
It seems as if the words penetrate your brain and heart and cause you to reflect on the condition of your heart and walk with Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus).
This hymn always reminds me of my great-aunts Gloria, Lucy, and Irene. They were from a large New England farming family of very modest means (“Swamp Yankees”) with no formal musical training yet taught themselves, through their shared love of music, how to sing. And sing very well. And harmonize with each other. All were pianists and Gloria could even play any instrument she laid her hands on. I remember the three of them singing this hymn in church and my brother and I applauding afterwards when we were little lol. We loved them so much and were so proud to call them family. Here’s to the Richmond girls from Barrowsville, Norton, MA ❤️✝️
My grandad used to play the song in his car when i was a little girl, as he did I'm clinging to the old rugged cross till I see him again in glory one day beautiful hearing it on the organ thankyou God bless what amazing Grace we have I Jesus 🙏✝️
I love hearing the organ playing these beautiful old hymns. I love that you love them too. I’m so encouraged by your enthusiasm for finding all these beautiful organs simple and grand. I live that you have a desire to share these almost forgotten treasures with a world that has become numb to the beauty of singing hymns. I pray that the Lord will use your enthusiasm and channel to soften, hard hearts and awaken a desire to know the Lord of all creation in a new deep and intimate way. Thank you.
Excellent. One hymn I remember word for word from my childhood. The words make so much sense. Thanks. I too played it at my Mother's funeral. Enjoyed this greatly.
I had no idea this hymn is well known in Uk! Thank you for such masterful performances of these hymns! They take on a new luster! Here in usa the tempo is a lot slower , kind of gives it a mournful quality!
Dear Ben, I must thank you for choosing to elevate Christ with songs about the cross. Without that cross I could never have been saved or know the peace, love and joy found in Jesus. God bless you dear friend!
Ben, of all your videos i`ve watched so far, "The old rugged Cross" managed to reduce me to tears ... wow how could such a hymn cause such emotion. I`ve been a huge fan of the Pipe organ but I need to learn how to read music 1st !!! Thank you for your videos & l look forward to your talent.
Excellent. That was my Mums favourite Hymn, and we had it at her Funeral. It's obviously very special to me, so thank you for playing it so beautifully. Your composition at the end was beautiful too. Well done and thanks. Take care 🙂
Thanks! Your knowledge, research and presentation are great. Besides you are an excellent organist taking us all back to the roots of ecumentical music and history. Merry Christmas
Hi Ben it's good to see you playing beautiful pipe organ. You are very much fortunate to inherit the great valuable heritage that your ancestors have kept.
Exquisitely beautiful! This is the 4th video clip I’ve watched/listened to this evening. Your rendition of ‘Nimrod’ took my breath away! Battle Hymn of the Republic’ and ‘Thine Be the Glory’ also left me deeply moved. Your playing is absolutely wonderful to listen to…and to watch! Thank you, Ben, for sharing your knowledge, passion and gift with us.
I LOVE your performances at the organ!! . . . . . . A bit of trivia: Homer Rodeheaver, singer, first recorded "Old Rugged Cross" for Victor in 1914. Acoustic recording was never too kind to the organ. Usually, two horns were near the instrument, both coupled to the recording mechanism: one close by to record the organ proper; the other to gather any available room acoustics. But with the advent of electric (microphone) recording came much more fidelity. When Mary Garden (soprano) recorded "In the Gloaming" in 1928, she was accompanied by the huge Wanamaker Organ, USA (5 manuals), in a now convincing organ recording.
I am a Homer Rodeheaver fan, and have collected as many of his 78s as I come across in thrift stores, flea markets, antique malls, garage sales. His 1915 Victor record of Brighten The Corner Where You Are is a favourite, and the acoustic version uses the Victor Orchestra. In the 0rthophonic version recorded electrically in 1925 there is an organ accompaniment. That recording gives a fuller, more satisfying sound of both the pipe organ and Rodeheaver.
This is a beautiful song - mostly heard at funerals and in Methodist and Baptist Churches here in Texas. Episcopalians (Anglicans) use *The Hymnal 1982* . So... I never hear this song unless I attend another church. Thanks for playing it!
Hi Ben-just listened to your Bach fugue in G and love your Bach organ music so much (As a watercolorist, Bach is mostly what I listen to while painting) and then I listened to the Old Rugged Cross which moves me so much, reminding me of the depth of Jesus’ love for us. You are amazing! So glad I found your UA-cam channel! Please keep making your videos - I believe they enrich people’s lives more than you can imagine!
Very nice. Just subscribed to you last week. You seem to play alot of American Hymns. Wondering if you could look up This is My Father's World. American hymn writer but I think the Tune is English
Very poor hymn. Idolizes the cross. Salvation is free from God - you don't exchange your cross for a crown -- it's not about you -- it's always about Jesus.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8
You have misunderstood the hymn. The crown here mentioned has two meanings. Firstly, to exchange the old rugged cross for the crowns of thorns that Christ wore (to suffer like him). Secondly, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Crown) by the salvation that was granted to mankind through the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus on it.
@@BodybuilderKingViky That's not what the song says. It's not a good hymn - very misleading. There's a reason strict Biblical churches don't allow that song.
I'm 86 years old and still remember every word to this hymn from when I first learned it when I was just learning to read and to play the piano, about 80 years ago. I still love that old cross!!!!
It is interesting how some of the hymns most associated with what some would call sentimentality actually have a depth to them that is easy to miss. I grew up when these hymns seemed trite to me, but over the course of my life, I have come to appreciate they have more depth than is often appreciated. I think a lot of that depth is dependent on how they are performed and presented. Their strength can get lost without a strong performance. The organ is an instrument allowing them to be presented with a strength often missed.
Couldn't sing through the tears. A lifetime of experience has given these old hymns profound meaning.
❤I agree
Thank you for doing this. Iwishi had the means to help you do this. I enjoy the way you explain why you do this and your love of these peaceful old churches where you can pursue your passion for playing old organs just for your enjoyment and sharing them with your followers. I am a dedicated follower of your videos. I love my solitude and the freedom to spend my time alone pursuing just what pleases me. At87 years old I believe this is a good way to spend what time Ihave left on this earth. I live in a fast growing city with many modern attractions I could pursue but I prefer these quiet days enjoying just what pleases me each day. I worked several different places and enjoyed my association with the people I worked with at the same time I was married in a less than good relationship and raised my four children spending most of my waking hours taking care of others and providing income to have a nice middle class life but now I am able to concentrate on what pleases me each day and it is a luxury I cherish. Again, I thank you for making today better for me.
I love this hymn. It brings tears to my eyes. I play it on the Organ in our Church on Good Fridays. Thank you for playing it so wonderfully and sharing it with us.
And here is Ben doing good work saving our civilization one note at a time. You are one special lad. God bless you.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross. The emblem of suffering and shame. And I loved that old cross where the dearest and best - for a world of lost sinners - was slain. So I will cherish the old rugged cross 'til my trophies at last I'll lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday, for a crown.
Yet another perfect example why I'm glad that I discovered your channel: not only are you a brilliant musician but you also chose wonderful hymns and organ classics - and last not least there is this amazing organ. What a gem!
I agree. Absolutely love this.
You can not fool an Organ especialy a Pipe Organ. You could say notes are just notes but music played with faith is heavenly music.
Hi Ben. We certainly love this old hymn. The Old rugged cross on the hill no longer has His body hanging on it. He's now waiting for us on the other side. Blessings.
How beautiful.
I felt your heart reaching out to us through your music.
You must have a great love for that old him, as do I.
Thank you for sharing with us and posting this. You play beautifully.
Thank you, so very much.
I haven't been to many funerals where this particular wasn't played. This was sung by the congregation at my mother's, my father's, both sets of grandparents, my pastor's most recently, as well as the funerals of other family members and friends...who all were Christians. This hymn speaks tremendous spiritual, theological truth, and the last verse, "...until I exchange it one day for a crown." brings absolute comfort, to the Believer.
Thank you for sharing the hymns of Praise with the You Tube world.
This was my dad's favorite hymn.
I'll cherish the old rugged cross (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
Thank you Ben for a meditative Sunday evening
Just a cup of coffee to your blessed pilgrimage of the sacred music ... from an Anglican-phile Methodist SK
This hymn was sung by the congregation at the conclusion of my father's funeral in June 0f 2017. Accompanied by a pipe organ.
You play beautifully. I have always loved hymns and I pray that more churches would return to the reverence of the hymns. I have no problem with modern Christian songs but they don’t often stir the spirit the way hymns do.
It seems as if the words penetrate your brain and heart and cause you to reflect on the condition of your heart and walk with Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus).
Another American Hymn would be God be with you til we meet again,
Excellent hymn! My family has sung for 4 generations
This hymn always reminds me of my great-aunts Gloria, Lucy, and Irene. They were from a large New England farming family of very modest means (“Swamp Yankees”) with no formal musical training yet taught themselves, through their shared love of music, how to sing. And sing very well. And harmonize with each other. All were pianists and Gloria could even play any instrument she laid her hands on. I remember the three of them singing this hymn in church and my brother and I applauding afterwards when we were little lol. We loved them so much and were so proud to call them family. Here’s to the Richmond girls from Barrowsville, Norton, MA ❤️✝️
Beautiful and staring.
Thank you
The impact of the old hymns on our lives is significant and enduring. Thank you Lord
This was my Grandfather’s favorite hymn! I so appreciate you bringing this to us!
My grandad used to play the song in his car when i was a little girl, as he did I'm clinging to the old rugged cross till I see him again in glory one day beautiful hearing it on the organ thankyou God bless what amazing Grace we have I Jesus 🙏✝️
Agreed. This hymn does not receive the attention it deserves. Thank you /\
I love hearing the organ playing these beautiful old hymns. I love that you love them too. I’m so encouraged by your enthusiasm for finding all these beautiful organs simple and grand. I live that you have a desire to share these almost forgotten treasures with a world that has become numb to the beauty of singing hymns. I pray that the Lord will use your enthusiasm and channel to soften, hard hearts and awaken a desire to know the Lord of all creation in a new deep and intimate way. Thank you.
Thanks immensely for your passion and your music. You are the epitome of blessing. Love from Canada.
Also from Canada. Very powerful message of this hymn.
Excellent. One hymn I remember word for word from my childhood. The words make so much sense. Thanks. I too played it at my Mother's funeral. Enjoyed this greatly.
I played at the funerals of both my mother and my father.
I look forward to all your posts. Thank you ever so much, Ben.
I had no idea this hymn is well known in Uk! Thank you for such masterful performances of these hymns! They take on a new luster! Here in usa the tempo is a lot slower , kind of gives it a mournful quality!
Dear Ben, I must thank you for choosing to elevate Christ with songs about the cross. Without that cross I could never have been saved or know the peace, love and joy found in Jesus. God bless you dear friend!
Never gonna give you up never gonna let you down never gonna run around and desert you!
Ben, of all your videos i`ve watched so far, "The old rugged Cross" managed to reduce me to tears ... wow how could such a hymn cause such emotion. I`ve been a huge fan of the Pipe organ but I need to learn how to read music 1st !!!
Thank you for your videos & l look forward to your talent.
Excellent. That was my Mums favourite Hymn, and we had it at her Funeral. It's obviously very special to me, so thank you for playing it so beautifully. Your composition at the end was beautiful too. Well done and thanks. Take care 🙂
Lovely
Thank you!
Gostei da performance e me empolguei com a qualidade do órgão. Congratulation, parabéns! BRASIL
Thanks! Your knowledge, research and presentation are great. Besides you are an excellent organist taking us all back to the roots of ecumentical music and history. Merry Christmas
Hi Ben it's good to see you playing beautiful pipe organ. You are very much fortunate to inherit the great valuable heritage that your ancestors have kept.
Thanks a lot!
Exquisitely beautiful! This is the 4th video clip I’ve watched/listened to this evening. Your rendition of ‘Nimrod’ took my breath away! Battle Hymn of the Republic’ and ‘Thine Be the Glory’ also left me deeply moved.
Your playing is absolutely wonderful to listen to…and to watch!
Thank you, Ben, for sharing your knowledge, passion and gift with us.
This is by far one of my favorites.
I LOVE your performances at the organ!! . . . . . . A bit of trivia: Homer Rodeheaver, singer, first recorded "Old Rugged Cross" for Victor in 1914. Acoustic recording was never too kind to the organ. Usually, two horns were near the instrument, both coupled to the recording mechanism: one close by to record the organ proper; the other to gather any available room acoustics. But with the advent of electric (microphone) recording came much more fidelity. When Mary Garden (soprano) recorded "In the Gloaming" in 1928, she was accompanied by the huge Wanamaker Organ, USA (5 manuals), in a now convincing organ recording.
I am a Homer Rodeheaver fan, and have collected as many of his 78s as I come across in thrift stores, flea markets, antique malls, garage sales. His 1915 Victor record of Brighten The Corner Where You Are is a favourite, and the acoustic version uses the Victor Orchestra. In the 0rthophonic version recorded electrically in 1925 there is an organ accompaniment. That recording gives a fuller, more satisfying sound of both the pipe organ and Rodeheaver.
This is a beautiful song - mostly heard at funerals and in Methodist and Baptist Churches here in Texas.
Episcopalians (Anglicans) use *The Hymnal 1982* . So... I never hear this song unless I attend another church.
Thanks for playing it!
감사합니다.
This truly beautiful! Thank you Ben.🙏
Hi Ben-just listened to your Bach fugue in G and love your Bach organ music so much (As a watercolorist, Bach is mostly what I listen to while painting) and then I listened to the Old Rugged Cross which moves me so much, reminding me of the depth of Jesus’ love for us. You are amazing! So glad I found your UA-cam channel! Please keep making your videos - I believe they enrich people’s lives more than you can imagine!
You are OK, Ben!
I hope your CD becomes available again soon. I tried to order it but it was sold out.
New CDs are coming next week!!
❤
🌹
Very nice. Just subscribed to you last week. You seem to play alot of American Hymns. Wondering if you could look up This is My Father's World. American hymn writer but I think the Tune is English
I've been looking for your email address, but can't find it anywhere.
Very poor hymn. Idolizes the cross. Salvation is free from God - you don't exchange your cross for a crown -- it's not about you -- it's always about Jesus.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8
@@spuzzgekk But that's not what the song says.
You have misunderstood the hymn. The crown here mentioned has two meanings. Firstly, to exchange the old rugged cross for the crowns of thorns that Christ wore (to suffer like him). Secondly, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Crown) by the salvation that was granted to mankind through the cross by the sacrifice of Jesus on it.
@@BodybuilderKingViky That's not what the song says. It's not a good hymn - very misleading. There's a reason strict Biblical churches don't allow that song.
@@johnmarquardt1991 No, it doesn't. Prove otherwise?
Your.arethe.best♥️🇬🇧