Song facts
- Original key
- B♭ major
- Type
- Hymn
- Music
- Thomas Hastings (died 1872)
- Original lyrics
- Augustus Montague Toplady (died 1778)
- First published
- 1831
Public-domain songs · Hymn instrumental
Rock of Ages
Play the Rock of Ages instrumental in the original key of B♭ major, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is B♭ major. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (G major)
2 semitones lower (A♭ major)
Original key (B♭ major)
2 semitones higher (C major)
About this song
Augustus Toplady, an Anglican clergyman who died in 1778, saw the opening lines of this text printed in The Gospel Magazine in October 1775, and a full version followed in March 1776. The American church musician Thomas Hastings wrote the tune TOPLADY. It first appeared in Spiritual Songs for Social Worship (Utica, 1831), which he compiled with Lowell Mason. It is still the usual setting in the United States, while British churches prefer Redhead 76. Most hymnals print TOPLADY in Bb major.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1831). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
Need a backing track for another song?
Upload an audio file you have the rights to use, remove the vocals, and change the key.
Make a backing track from my file