1 I'm nearing the city, so fair and bright,
The beautiful city of love and light,
The beautiful city long foretold,
With gates of pearl and streets of gold.
I'm nearing the land where the ransom'd meet
To cast their crowns at our Saviour's feet,
The restful land where tears ne'er fall,
And God Himself shall be all in all.
2 The land where the living fountains flow,
Where leaves for the healing of nations grow
The land that shall never know a blight
Where Christ is its joy and God its light.
The past shall fade as a mournful dream
When we bathe in life's celestial stream
And harps of heav'n with sweet accord,
Shall welcome us home to see our Lord.
3 Redeem'd from sin and freed from woes,
We'll follow the Lamb wherever He goes,
And spotless before His Father's throne
His chosen ones will our Saviour own.
Life's sorrow and pain, change and decay,
In the light of heav'n shall fade away
In the many mansions of the blest,
Our heav'n shall be the Redeemers breast.
4 By the magnet of love, Christ yet shall draw
A world astray to His holy law,
And earth subdued by love divine,
Into His Father's hands resign.
The gates of life shall be opened wide,
Shall ne'er be closed by hate or pride,
Nor sorrow nor pain nor wild despair,
Shall ever intrude or enter there.