Room at the Cross for You - Hymn lyrics

1 The Savior and the sinner meet
At the blessèd cross of Calvary;
Just lay your sins at Jesus’ feet;
There’s room at the cross for you.

Refrain:
There’s room at the cross for you,
There’s room at the cross for you;
Make surrender full, complete,
Lay your sins at Jesus’ feet;
There’s room at the cross for you.

2 Does not there come a sense of guilt?
And do you feel yourself condemned?
For your redemption blood was spilt;
There’s room at the cross for you.

3 O can’t you hear the Savior’s call,
As there He hangs upon the tree?
From off your heart He’ll lift sin’s pall;
There’s room at the cross for you. 

“Room at the Cross for You” is a hymn that emphasizes the boundless and inclusive nature of Christ's love and sacrifice. Written by Ira D. Sankey in 1870, the hymn was inspired by the powerful evangelistic meetings of the time, where the message of salvation was presented as an open invitation to all who would come. Sankey, known for his partnership with Dwight L. Moody in revival meetings, wrote hymns that focused on personal decisions for Christ, and “Room at the Cross for You” invites the listener to respond to God’s love with repentance and faith.

The opening line, “The cross upon which Jesus died,” immediately draws attention to the central symbol of Christian faith—the cross. The hymn stresses that no matter who you are, no matter the weight of your past sins or struggles, there is room for you at the cross. The recurring refrain, “There’s room at the cross for you,” is a clear and loving call to the lost, emphasizing the endless supply of grace and the full sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice to cover every sin.

Each verse in the hymn explores a different aspect of coming to the cross. It acknowledges the individual’s need for salvation, the personal cost of sin, and the hope of new life through Jesus. Yet, the refrain offers assurance: no matter the past or the struggles, the cross remains a place of welcome. The hymn invites listeners to come as they are, offering no barriers or restrictions—only the promise of forgiveness, renewal, and acceptance in Christ.

At its core, “Room at the Cross for You” is a hymn of evangelistic hope. It communicates the Gospel message simply but powerfully—that Christ's sacrifice is more than sufficient for all who believe. There is no exclusion, no qualification, only an open invitation for all to find peace at the foot of the cross. Sankey's hymn, which has endured through the years, continues to echo the message that Christ's love and sacrifice know no bounds—there is always room for one more at the cross.