"Oh, What A Beautiful City" by Stacey Gibbs

8,020 views • Apr 9, 2020

Description

Sung on July 8, 2019 at Rochester SDA Church in Rochester, MN. 

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The Historic Faith · Hymn Companion

"Oh, What A Beautiful City" by Stacey Gibbs

Words by Traditional African American spiritualMusic by Traditional African American spiritualTune TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY

Oh, what a beautiful city,
Oh, what a beautiful city,
Oh, what a beautiful city,
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.

Three gates in the east,
Three gates in the west,
Three gates in the north,
Three gates in the south,
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.

My Lord built that city,
My Lord built that city,
My Lord built that city,
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.

Who are those children all dressed in red?
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.
Must be the children that Moses led,
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.

Who are those children all dressed in white?
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.
Must be the children of the Israelites,
Twelve gates to the city, Hallelujah.

Read the full lyrics on negrospirituals.com

Story Behind the Song

“Oh, What a Beautiful City” is a traditional African American spiritual, also commonly known as “Twelve Gates to the City.” Its imagery comes from the New Jerusalem in Revelation, especially the twelve gates, jeweled walls, and heavenly city. Like many spirituals, it circulated orally before being collected and arranged in many forms by later musicians.

Scripture

Revelation 21:10-21

Found In

Lift Every Voice and Sing II, African American Heritage Hymnal, The New Century Hymnal