TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY
“Twelve Gates to the City” is a gospel song, and was a showpiece for the Reverend Gary
Davis in his live shows. The image of the heavenly city may possibly be derived from
Chapter 21 of the Apocalypse, but the twelve gates of the city, three on each side, are
unquestionably taken from Ezekiel 48:30-34 in the bible. From the bible it says: The
twelve gates were twelve pearls, and each gate was made of a single pearl. The street of
the city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.
Oh, what a beautiful city
Oh, what a beautiful city
Oh, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
And it’s oh, what a beautiful
Oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
There’s three gates in the East
There’s three gates in the West
There’s three gates in the North
There’s three gates in the South
That makes twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
And it’s oh, what a beautiful
Oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Oh
Oh Lord, what a beautiful city
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
If you see my dear old mother
Won’t you do this favor for me
Won’t you please tell my mother
To meet me in Galilee
Well, it’s twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful
Yeah
Oh Lord, what a beautiful
Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah
