If the name Scotty McCreery sounds familiar, there’s another reason you’ll want to watch this. He won season 10 of American Idol a decade ago and quickly won over the hearts of country music fans.
But you don’t have to like country music to listen to this cover! It seems like almost every Christian artist has recorded or performed “The Old Rugged Cross.” So where did it come from? George Bennard wrote the famous song around 1912, and a four-person choir first performed it at a small church service.
Once the song made its way across the country, George sold the song for $500 but continued to use small parts of the hymn during his services.
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 someday for a crown.
This beloved hymn has been memorialized in three different cities and performed by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, among many other legendary artists. The beauty of the words shines through in Scotty’s cover. The calmness and purity in his voice show just how devoted he is to Christ, something we may all forget about from time to time.
The video isn’t heavily produced. It looks like Scotty just set his phone up and recorded it in his living room. And there’s something really special about that. It’s a humble song and doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles in order for it to make an impact.
In fact, seeing this man worship the Lord in his living room maybe even more impactful. After all, ultimately, it’s not about the production–it’s about the message. Can I get an Amen? Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.
