Rock of Ages Lyrics in Large Print: Free Printable PDF
The words of Rock of Ages are here in large print, one sheet at 18, 24 or 28 point. Augustus Toplady published the words in full in 1776. They were published before 1930, so they are public domain in the US and free to copy.
| Words by | Augustus M. Toplady, first published in full 1776 |
|---|---|
| Music | Thomas Hastings, 1830 |
| Type size | 18, 24 or 28 pt |
| Paper | US Letter, A4 or 11 x 17 in, white or cream |
Rock of Ages in large print: words and download
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and thou alone;
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown
See thee on thy judgment throne,—
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Words: Augustus M. Toplady (first published in full 1776). Music: Thomas Hastings (1830). Public domain in the United States: words published 1776 (US, published 1929 or earlier).
The words above are set the way this site sets every song: left aligned, one column, plain type with no italics, and a blank line between stanzas. The sheet has 3 stanzas and 18 lines. Rock of Ages is one of the songs in our large print hymns collection, where you can print it with others in one PDF, and the whole set of texts is listed on the large print prayers and hymns page.
Who wrote Rock of Ages and when?
Augustus Toplady was an Anglican minister. According to Wikipedia, four lines of the first verse appeared in The Gospel Magazine in October 1775, and the first full publication, with three more verses, was in the March 1776 issue. A slightly revised version followed in July 1776 in his own hymnal, Psalms & Hymns for Public and Private Worship.
A popular story says Toplady sheltered from a storm in a cleft of the Burrington Combe gorge and wrote the words there. Wikipedia notes that most hymnologists do not believe it, since it first appears 122 years after the hymn. One scholar suggests a 1673 sermon by Daniel Brevint as the more likely source. Different churches have edited the text over the years, so your hymnal may differ from our sheet in a word or two.
When is Rock of Ages sung?
It is sung in services of many denominations, and at funerals and memorials, when the familiar tune makes it easy for a group to join in. If you are planning a folder of songs for the same occasion, the sheets for Abide with Me, Just As I Am and Be Thou My Vision use the same layout, so they sit well together.
How do you print Rock of Ages for a service, a sing-along or a care-home visit?
In our layout tests on US Letter paper, Rock of Ages takes 1 page at 18 point, 2 at 24 point and 2 at 28 point. On 11 x 17 paper at 24 point it takes 1 page. Eighteen point is the smallest size we offer, because the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) says print below 18 point is not large print, and our page on what large print is explains the reasons for 18, 24 and 28 point.
For a service, print one sheet for each seat plus a few spares, since large print copies tend to be borrowed. For a sing-along, one sheet between two is enough on 11 x 17 paper at 24 point. For a care-home visit, print one for each resident and one for each helper, and slip them into sleeves you can wipe clean. Because different denominations have edited the text over the years, check our sheet against the hymnal your group uses before you hand it out, and tell singers about any differences.