Gates of the beautiful, golden and bright,
Guarding that city of splendor and light;
Oft I behold thee, in distance and dream,
Flash in the sunlight of heavenly gleam.

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Gates ajar for me, beautiful gates ajar for me;
City of gold with joys untold,
Beautiful gates ajar for me.

Gates of the beautiful, lofty and grand,
Swung by the touch of some bright angel hand;
Down form the portals there floats a sweet song,
Waked by the lips of the purified throng.

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Gates of the beautiful, gates of pure gold,
How can I picture your glories untold?
Eagerly yearning my spirit doth wait
Till I shall come to the beautiful gate.

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Over the river they call me,
Friends that are dear to my heart;
Soon shall I meet them in glory,
Never, no never to part.

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Over the river to Eden,
Home to their dwelling so fair;
Angels will carry me safely.
Jesus will welcome me there.

Over the river they call me,
Hark, ’tis their voices I hear,
Borne on the wings of the twilight,
Murmuring softly and clear.

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Over the river, how lovely,
There is no sorrow nor night;
There they are walking with Jesus,
Clothed in His garment of light.

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Over the river they call me,
Watching with glad, beaming eyes;
Over the river I’m coming,
Joyful my spirit replies.

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In the land of fadeless day,
Lies “the city foursquare,”
It shall never pass away,
And there is “no night there.”

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God shall “wipe away all tears”
There’s no death, no pain, nor fears;
And they count not time by years,
For there is “no night there.”

All the gates of pearl are made,
In “the city foursquare,”
All the streets with gold are laid,
And there is “no night there.”

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All the gates shall never close,
To “the city foursquare,”
There life’s crystal river flows,
And there is “no night there.”

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There they need no sunshine bright,
In “that city foursquare,”
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is “no night there.”

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Just a few more days to be filled with praise,
And to tell the old, old story;
Then, when twilight falls, and my Savior calls,
I shall go to Him in glory.

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I’ll exchange my cross for a starry crown,
Where the gates swing outward never;
At His feet I’ll lay every burden down,
And with Jesus reign forever.

Just a few more years with their toil and tears,
And the journey will be ended;
Then I’ll be with Him, where the tide of time
With eternity is blended.

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Though the hills be steep and the valleys deep,
With no flowers my way adorning;
Though the night be lone and my rest a stone,
Joy awaits me in the morning.

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What a joy ’twill be when I wake to see
Him for Whom my heart is burning!
Nevermore to sigh, nevermore to die,
For that day my heart is yearning.

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