About The Song
When Daniel O’Donnell stands before the audience at Ulster Hall in Belfast and begins to sing “The Old Rugged Cross,” the atmosphere in the room transforms. A reverent stillness settles over the crowd — not the silence of expectation, but of devotion. This timeless hymn, cherished by millions around the world, becomes through Daniel’s voice something deeply personal, almost sacred. He doesn’t just perform it; he prays it — and in doing so, he allows everyone listening to feel the same quiet grace that guides him.
The first notes emerge softly, carried by a simple organ and gentle strings. Daniel’s voice enters with that familiar calm — steady, sincere, and full of warmth. He doesn’t adorn the melody with theatrics or grandeur. Instead, he sings with humility, his phrasing deliberate and heartfelt. Each word of “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross…” feels as though it’s being offered, not recited — a gift of faith from the heart of a man who believes every syllable.
What makes Daniel’s rendition so moving is his ability to connect the spiritual with the deeply human. “The Old Rugged Cross” is, at its core, a song about suffering, redemption, and love — the kind of love that endures through pain. Daniel’s delivery captures that perfectly. His tone is gentle yet strong, carrying the weight of both sorrow and salvation. When he reaches the chorus — “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross…” — his voice swells slightly, not with power, but with devotion. It’s the sound of faith expressed not as doctrine, but as comfort.
The live setting in Belfast gives the performance a special intimacy. Ulster Hall, with its historic acoustics and warm lighting, becomes almost like a cathedral. The audience listens in reverent silence, many visibly moved. There’s something profoundly communal about the moment — hundreds of people breathing in time with one man’s prayer in song. You can sense that Daniel understands the responsibility of that moment. His entire performance radiates respect, not only for the hymn’s message but for the shared faith and memories it carries for those listening.
Musically, the arrangement is elegant and understated. The piano and strings create a soft foundation, allowing Daniel’s voice to rest at the center. There’s no rush in his pacing — he lets the lyrics linger, giving the audience time to feel each line. That stillness, that patience, gives the song its power. It’s as though time itself pauses between each verse, inviting reflection.
Emotionally, Daniel’s “The Old Rugged Cross” goes beyond religion. It’s about love that sacrifices, hope that heals, and peace found in surrender. He sings it not as a sermon, but as someone sharing what has sustained him through life’s storms. You can hear gratitude in his tone — gratitude for faith, for forgiveness, and for the ability to find light in darkness. That sincerity touches even those who may not share his beliefs, because the emotion he conveys is universal: the longing for something eternal and good.
By the final verse, when Daniel softly repeats “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown,” his voice carries a quiet strength — the voice of a man at peace with life and all its seasons. The hall fills with that peace. The last note fades into silence, and for a moment, no one moves. Then, as the audience rises in gentle applause, it feels less like applause for a singer and more like an amen.
In “The Old Rugged Cross (Live in Concert, Ulster Hall, Belfast),” Daniel O’Donnell reminds us why he remains one of the most beloved voices in gospel and inspirational music. His performance is not about performance at all — it’s about truth, faith, and love. Through his calm presence and unwavering sincerity, he transforms an old hymn into a living moment of grace. And as his final note fades, one can almost feel the echo of that cross — not as a symbol of sorrow, but of hope that endures forever.