Swing Open, Fair Portals

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Swing back for one moment, fair portals

Author: F. A. Blackmer
Tune: [Swing back for one moment, fair portals]
Published in 17 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

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.

Source: Songs of Help: for the Sunday school, evangelistic and church services #149

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Author: F. A. Blackmer

Blackmer, Francis Augustus. (Ware, Massachusetts, February 17, 1855--October 8, 1930, Somerville, Massachusetts). Advent Christian musician. His parents, Augustus and Jane Blackmer, were among those caught up in the excitement of the Millerite Movement. One son, Fred, became an Advent Christian minister. Francis, with a talent recognized at an early age, consecrated his own life to Christian service as a musician. He was immersed in baptism at the Adventist campmeeting in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Elder Miles Grant. His early years were spend in central Massachusetts, his schooling at Wilbraham Academy. He was largely self-taught in harmony and musical composition. He wrote the words and music to his first gospel song, "Out on the f… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Swing back for one moment, fair portals
Title:	Swing Open, Fair Portals
Author:	F. A. Blackmer
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Swing open, fair portals
Copyright:	Public Domain