The Ballad of the Cross

(6 Measure Introduction)

(Verse 1)
By the prophets, God foretold
of the sending of His Son
Who would give His life
to set the captive free.
Stepping down from His throne
and the glory He had known,
Jesus came to give His life for you and me.
Though He knew well the cost,
He was prepared to suffer loss
and give Himself as ransom for us all.
Into our hopeless world He came,
Endured the suffering and the shame,
Every moment staying faithful to the call.

(Verse 2)
Yet the One who spoke of love
was rejected and despised;
He knew all too well the sinful heart of men.
Those with eyes refused to see;
Those with ears refused to hear,
as they sought a way to bring Him to an end.
By a friend He was betrayed,
By soldiers, led away,
Yet for this very hour He had come.
They did not take - He freely gave;
For those He came to save,
the road to the cross He walked alone.

(Chorus 1)
He could have called a million angels to His side,
Or stepped down from the cross and walked away.
Yet His love held Him there,
Through the pain and despair,
To free us from the debt we could not pay.

(Verse 3)
In His suffering and pain
Took the guilt and the shame
As He hung between the heavens and the ground.
Every nail, every thorn,
Every stare, every scorn
pierced the One who so freely laid it down.
With His face to the sky,
"It is finished!" was His cry
The words that broke the gates of hell.
When His final words were said,
Breathed His last, bowed His head,
Darkness o'er the land so quickly fell.

(Chorus 2)
Yet death and darkness could not stand against His power:
He rose, victorious o'er the grave.
In His light we now may live,
By the grace He came to give
All who call upon His name are surely saved!
All who call upon His name are surely saved!

Comments  ( Leave a comment) View all comments for this song
Found this song years ago and every time I play it, sing it, it touches my heart like no other. Thank you... Diana Boney (paladin1954_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2020-06-14
Beautiful! (piazazz14_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2019-03-13
Truely a truth we need to sing out. 2018-02-01
I downloaded this many years ago and still love it. We sing it as s duet on Easter. Love it. Sandy Fink 2017-04-16
I love this song very much Renae Forbes (Renforbes830_AT_Gmail_DOT_com) 2017-02-25
Your music is special to me. Thank you for putting feet to the blessings God has placed upon your hearts. Thank you, thank you! Bill Grisham (whgrisham_AT_catt_DOT_com) 2016-04-13
I love it! Vera Six (old friend of your music) (verasix_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2016-03-31
Yes I will call upon your name and be saved Renae forbes (Renaeforbes24_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2016-02-27
Glory B 2 JESUS on This Special Day I've Sent This Comment In For Good Friday3April2015♪† Love The Song/Hymn & The Words♪ ♪Thank You All & GoD's Blessings B Upon Us All & Peace B WithIn Our S† Fayette (quakawallaby_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2015-04-02
I've been looking for the music for 'Until I Come' as I have the words already. I'm so thankful that I found your site, it is truly inspirational. I run a Lent Club after school and I have used this before many years ago, thank goodness I found it again. Went onto the website, really delighted. Thank you so much. Elaine Williams (elaine_will_AT_hotmail_DOT_co_DOT_uk) 2015-02-24
You are everything to me lord because I will call upon your name . renae forbes (renae forbes 78_AT_gmail_DOT_ com) 2015-01-09
excellent will use it for the worship lobo 2014-07-15
That is a beautiful song, and it so perfectly describes Jesus' perfect gift. I loved it! Everyone should hear that song. Rebecca Schumacher (schumabecca_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2013-03-25
This is beautiful. I play piano for my church but don't feel accomplished enough to play this so I will just listen. I love the words. Thank you for sharing all the music. Jo Ann (joannirons_AT_windstream_DOT_net) 2013-03-02
Thank you Elton and Larry for writing such a beautiful and holy song. I have loved this song, and "I Lay It Down" for years, well before my husband and I were married. We just got back from Good Friday Mass, and now that the kids are old enough to understand them, we played both songs for them. They are very special songs, and I thank you both for encouraging christians to use your songs freely in their churches. Glory to God!!! Katrina 2012-04-06
I have loved this song since I first heard it- now years ago. I bought the CD- Resurrection Song and have been trying to get this song and another-Lover of My Soul performed at my church. Well, I finally got someone to sing it at my church and he asked me to sing back-up. So, we had a man and a woman. We were well received. Everyone said the song was very thought provoking and emotional. I think/hope that's what you were trying for! One down and one to go! God Bless you guys! cheryl (cherylsi_AT_live_DOT_com) 2011-08-09
5-star GREAT!!!  John (Mike) (jmhorn_AT_brtc_DOT_net) 2011-08-07
What a awesome song. It tells of the greatest thing to happen to me. I resently started a music ministry with in my church and these songs are truly an inspiration to me. God is great. Dwight (okcountryboy51_AT_hotmail_DOT_com) 2011-08-04
What a beautiful song. My pianist really rates it. Thank you so much for your wonderful music. I love singing from your list. Doris Warren (dwarren1435_AT_aol_DOT_co_DOT_uk) 2011-04-19
i am in charge of our church play for easter and wanted to use "the ballad of the cross" and saw that for non profit we could use it so tried to download it but its not working, not sure why, i'm even willing to pay for the cd if needed, but need it asap for kids to practice. please help Thank you for your interest. To download a file (mp3, midi, pdf), right mouse click on the link. This will display a menu on the screen. Use the menu to download the file to your computer. - Elton 2011-04-01
This song and the entire Russurection story is awesome. It is an inspiration to othera and it is great for use with children and youth groups karan (karan_AT_cwjamaica_DOT_com) 2011-03-12
Blast of beauty. Great song written by Elton and Larry, and Steve and Rhesa do a great job performing it. Alvin Fisher (alvinfisher_AT_bellsouth_DOT_net) 2011-02-21
It's a song to be inspired in your faith. God is Wonderful ! silvia (petrescuslv_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2011-02-18
wow!!!its so nice song...To God be the Glory!!! (glendzy25_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2011-02-11
I really like this song, because it makes you reflect on the death of Jesus and it is so surrend. Mary McWilliams 2011-02-10
Je me joins à chacun de vous tous, pour dire que cette musique Praise "Ballade de la croix" est vraiment très jolie! Que Dieu vous bénisse! Stormie 2011-01-28
i truely love this song.it reminds me of how Lord Jesus suffered for my sins and how he loves me. it also encourages me to love him back unconditionally. Oh how i love you Lord. celine (ccningas_AT_gma_DOT_com) 2010-12-28
It is good to hear a song so glorifying to Jesus  RJ 2010-10-31
i love the song really makes me think that jesus did not have 2 do anything but he did wat god called him 2 do . God has a call 4 each n every one of us we need 2 follow our calling just like jesus did i love u my jesus catherine (pinkwells_AT_aol_DOT_com) 2010-10-29
I hear this song and i love it,its remind the love of JESUS CHRIST FOR US  charlito (charlie_canosa_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-10-08
I hear this song and i love it,its remind the love of JESUS CHRIST FOR US  charlito (charlie_canosa_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-10-08
I hear this song and i love it,its remind the love of JESUS CHRIST FOR US  charlito (charlie_canosa_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-10-08
I love this song,it remind me how GOD loves me.He give his only begotten son to Ransom my soul at the cross,  charlito (charlie_canosa_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-10-07
i really like it harriet (harrietomane35_AT_aol_DOT_com) 2010-08-31
the words were so very touching, may the other will be blessed....................camz camille 2010-08-22
ooooh this song made me shade tears would like to get a copy its wonderfully may the lord bless you elton as you go on serving the Lord joan (joaby20002yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-06-11
Wonderful Song!!! Robert (robertdinakaranj_AT_gmail_DOT_com) 2010-04-16
PRAISE GOD!!!!!!! Bessie (bess39_AT_cableone_DOT_net) 2010-03-31
I would like to share about this song. I had performed this song at my local church for special music, only was done in sign language. Thank you for allowing this to be done. This is a great Easter and Passover song. You all are a Blessing. Thank you so much!! Martina Juranek (heartmkj_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-03-04
Elton & Larry, My wife and I found this to be a beautiful song. We sang it a couple of years ago for our Easter church service. I plan on teaching it to a brother in our church so we may sing it together this coming Easter. Thank you two and God Bless, Mark  mark (setfree6of96_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2010-02-20
wow ! the meaning of the song is great ! im not yet listening to it but i already fell in love to the song !!!  madelle (celandinehawkins_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2009-12-29
Love this song. Is there a version of this for SAB choir? laura (blandersen_AT_cltcomm_DOT_net) 2009-11-23
A very wonderful song, The Cross had to be to set us free for one day we could have a place with God in Heaven. This morning Has I was sending the prayer requests all over the World to the prayer's partners to pray for them , I was looking for a song to add to my email, Praise God for this Heavenly song, God bless, Jeanne. Jeanne C. S (unitedwepray_AT_frontiernet_DOT_net) 2009-11-10
Once again I will call yours a faithful friend. Love and blessings to yours always. Kathy Jo Watts 2009-09-26
I like his voice and the harmony. Linda J. Crume (crumelinda_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2009-08-01
I still hear this song also...... to remember what God has really done for us all Kathy Jo (SecretNow2003_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2009-05-11
Nine years ago.....All Glory be to God............this song had such a wonderful impact on my life....and I see.....and hear....God has blessed yours all so very much....All Glory be to God. Kathy Jo (SecretNow2003_AT_yahoo_DOT_com) 2009-04-24
I really like this song and I'm going to use it for our Good Friday service. Ellen 2009-04-08
Lovely...I'm the music director at my church and hope to play this for Easter! Angie Hooks 2009-03-30
What an awesome song about our Lord. Thank you for allowing the spirit of the Lord to lead both of you to these words and music. God bless you both. Cheryl Green (cngreen_AT_trustcable_DOT_com) 2009-03-21