The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #24482   Message #4234554
Posted By: Mick Pearce (MCP)
17-Jan-26 - 06:15 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Twelve Gates to the City
Subject: RE: Origins: Twelve Gates to the City
This is the version I learned from the singing of Dave van Ronk back in the 60s.




OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY

    Chorus:
    Oh, what beautiful city,
    Hmm, what a beautiful city, great God.
    What a beautiful city,
    Well there's 12 gates to the city, Halleloo.


Goin' on down to the river,
Pick my sword up in this hand,
Shove? my troubles over,
I done made it to the promised land.
Well, there's 12 gates to the city, Halleloo.

If you see my dear old mother
Won't you tell her please for me,
Well, meet me in the city,
Well over in Galilee.
Well, there's 12 gates to the city, Halleloo.

Well there's three gates in the East,
Well there's three gates in the West
Three gates to the North
Well three gates in the South.
Well there's 12 gates to the city, Halleloo.

Well, meet me Jesus, meet me.
Well won't you meet me in the middle of the air.
And if these wings should fail me,
Well, won't you meet me with another pair.
Well you know there's 12 gates to the city, Halleloo.


Source: Dave van Ronk