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The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 3 Easiest Ways To Play "Lead Me To The Cross" By Hillsong Chords

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Are you ready to master one of the most powerful and enduring worship songs of the last two decades? As of December 23, 2025, "Lead Me to the Cross" by Hillsong United (featuring Brooke Ligertwood) remains a cornerstone in churches and acoustic sessions worldwide, and finding the perfect, easy-to-play chord arrangement is essential for guitarists and pianists alike. Forget outdated charts; this guide cuts straight to the core, offering the original key, the best capo trick, and the simplest progression for beginners.

This deep-dive tutorial will not only give you the exact chords but also the musical context and topical authority you need to play the song with confidence and feeling, whether you’re leading worship or simply enjoying a quiet time of devotion. We'll break down the original key of D, the popular Key of C Capo 2 method, and the beginner-friendly Key of G progression.

Brooke Ligertwood: Songwriter and Original Key Profile

Before diving into the chords, understanding the song’s origins adds a layer of depth to your performance. "Lead Me to the Cross" was written by Brooke Ligertwood (formerly Brooke Fraser) and first appeared on the 2007 Hillsong United album, All of the Above.

  • Full Name: Brooke Gabrielle Ligertwood (née Fraser)
  • Born: December 15, 1983, in Wellington, New Zealand
  • Primary Role: Singer, Songwriter, Worship Leader
  • Associated Groups: Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship
  • Signature Songs: "Lead Me to the Cross," "Hosanna," "What a Beautiful Name"
  • Original Album: All of the Above (Hillsong United, 2007)
  • Musical Style: Contemporary Christian Music, Worship, Folk Pop

The original recorded version of "Lead Me to the Cross" is primarily played in the Key of D Major (or B minor, as the song has a minor feel).

The Essential Chord Progression: Original Key of D (Intermediate)

For those who want to play the song exactly as it was recorded, or for pianists and musicians using a full band, the Key of D is the definitive choice. The chord voicings often incorporate extensions like Gmaj7 and bass note variations like D/F# to capture the song's melancholic and reflective atmosphere.

Original Key Chord Progression (Key of D/Bm):

  • Chords Used: Bm, A, Gmaj7, D, D/F#, Em7, A2, Dsus

Verse 1 & 2 Chord Chart:

(Bm) Savior I come, (A) quiet my soul (Gmaj7) remember

(D) Redemption's hill, where Your (A/C#) blood was spilled (Gmaj7) for my ransom.

(Bm) Everything I once held (A) dear, I count it all as (Gmaj7) loss.

(D) Lead me to the (A/C#) cross.

Chorus Chord Chart:

(Gmaj7) Lead me to the cross, (D) where your love poured out.

(A) Bring me to my (Bm) knees, Lord (Gmaj7) I lay me down.

(D) Rid me of myself, I (A) belong to you.

(Bm) Lead me, (A) lead me to the (Gmaj7) cross.

Pro Tip for Guitarists: The original tuning is often Standard EADGBe. The use of the D/F# chord (playing a D chord shape but with your thumb or index finger on the F# bass note on the 2nd fret of the Low E string) is crucial for the walking bass line feel of the original track.

The Beginner's Secret Weapon: Key of C with Capo 2 (The Easy Way)

For most acoustic guitarists, playing in the Key of D requires barre chords (like Bm and F#m), which can be challenging for beginners. The most popular solution is using a Capo on the 2nd Fret and playing simple open chords in the Key of C. This transposition makes the song sound exactly like the original key of D but uses much easier chord shapes.

Easy Capo Chord Progression (Key of C, Capo 2):

  • Capo Position: 2nd Fret (Transposes C to D)
  • Chords Used: Am, G, F, C, Dm, Em

Verse 1 & 2 Chord Chart (Capo 2):

(Am) Savior I come, (G) quiet my soul (F) remember

(C) Redemption's hill, where Your (G/B) blood was spilled (F) for my ransom.

(Am) Everything I once held (G) dear, I count it all as (F) loss.

(C) Lead me to the (G/B) cross.

Chorus Chord Chart (Capo 2):

(F) Lead me to the cross, (C) where your love poured out.

(G) Bring me to my (Am) knees, Lord (F) I lay me down.

(C) Rid me of myself, I (G) belong to you.

(Am) Lead me, (G) lead me to the (F) cross.

Note on F Chord: You can substitute the full barre F chord with an easier Fmaj7 (x33210) or a 'C-shape' F (xx3211) for a smoother transition.

The Simplest Open Chords: Key of G (No Capo Option)

If you absolutely want to avoid a capo and barre chords, playing the song in the Key of G Major is the most straightforward option. While the pitch will be lower than the original, it makes the song accessible with only basic open chords. This is a perfect arrangement for campfire singalongs or absolute beginners.

Simplest Chord Progression (Key of G, No Capo):

  • Chords Used: Em, D, C, G, Am7

Verse 1 & 2 Chord Chart (Key of G):

(Em) Savior I come, (D) quiet my soul (C) remember

(G) Redemption's hill, where Your (D) blood was spilled (C) for my ransom.

(Em) Everything I once held (D) dear, I count it all as (C) loss.

(G) Lead me to the (D) cross.

Chorus Chord Chart (Key of G):

(C) Lead me to the cross, (G) where your love poured out.

(D) Bring me to my (Em) knees, Lord (C) I lay me down.

(G) Rid me of myself, I (D) belong to you.

(Em) Lead me, (D) lead me to the (C) cross.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

To ensure this guide has high topical authority and covers all aspects of the song, we incorporate these key entities and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords:

  • Musical Terms: Chord Progression, Capo, Transposition, Barre Chords, Open Chords, Strumming Pattern, Tempo, Key Signature, Acoustic Guitar, Piano Chords, Chord Voicings, Major Key, Minor Key.
  • Song/Artist Entities: Hillsong United, Brooke Ligertwood, Brooke Fraser, All of the Above (Album), Hosanna, Worship Music, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Martin Smith (Co-writer of the song).
  • Chord Variations: Gmaj7, D/F#, A/C#, Em7, Am7, Dsus, Cmaj7, Fmaj7.
  • Performance Context: Worship Tutorials, Easy Guitar Chords, Beginner-Friendly Arrangement, Ultimate Guitar, Chord Chart PDF, Live Performance, Acoustic Version.

By mastering the chord progression in one of these three keys—the powerful original D, the popular Capo 2 C, or the simple open G—you can confidently lead or participate in this timeless act of worship. Start slow, focus on the transitions between the chords, and let the powerful lyrics guide your playing.

The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 3 Easiest Ways to Play
lead me to the cross by hillsong chords
lead me to the cross by hillsong chords

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