Songs of Help ‎#149

149. Swing Open, Fair Portals

1 Swing back for one moment, fair portals
Of that wondrous city, we pray;
One glimpse, and the fears of these mortals
Shall vanish forever away.

Swing open, fair portals,
A moment, and let us look thro’;
One glimpse, and we, faltering mortals,
To enter, shall press anew.

2 One glimpse shall our courage embolden,
And brighten the whole of our way;
Oh, why should the sight be withholden?
By faith we would view it today.

Swing open, fair portals,
A moment, and let us look thro’;
One glimpse, and we, faltering mortals,
To enter, shall press anew.

3 We’ve read of that city’s bright glory,
That knows not the darkness of night;
And reading that wonderful story,
Has ravished our souls with delight.

Swing open, fair portals,
A moment, and let us look thro’;
One glimpse, and we, faltering mortals,
To enter, shall press anew.

4 We’ve read of the tree and the river,
Life’s water and fruit ever fair;
We’ve looked up in faith to the Giver,
And prayed that we might enter there.

Swing open, fair portals,
A moment, and let us look thro’;
One glimpse, and we, faltering mortals,
To enter, shall press anew.

5 Those gates we’re approaching, how cheering!
Oh, let us prove faithful alway;
And know, as the city we’re nearing,
That they shall to us some sweet day.

Swing open those portals,
And we shall in triumph go in,
Where we shall, as ransomed immortals,
Eternity blessed begin.

Text Information

• First Line: Swing back for one moment, fair portals
• Title: Swing Open, Fair Portals
• Author: F. A. B.
• Refrain First Line: Swing open, fair portals
• Publication Date: 1917

Tune Information

• Name: [Swing back for one moment, fair portals]
• Composer: F. A. Blackmer