1 They tell of a city far up in the sky,
I want to go there, I do;
'Tis built in the land of "the sweet by and by,"
I want to go there, don't you?
There Jesus has gone to prepare us a home,
I want to go there, I do;
Where sickness nor sorrow nor death ever come,
I want to go there, don't you?
Refrain:
I want to go there, I want to go there,
I want to go there, I do;
I want to go there, I want to go there,
I want to go there, don't you?
2 Its gates are all pearl, its streets are all gold,
I want to go there, I do;
The Lamb is the light of that city we're told,
I want to go there, don't you?
Death robs us all here, there none ever die,
I want to go there, I do;
Where loved ones will never again say good-bye,
I want to go there, don't you?
Refrain:
I want to go there, I want to go there,
I want to go there, I do;
I want to go there, I want to go there,
I want to go there, don't you?
3 When the old ship of Zion shall make her last trip,
I want to be there, I do;
With heads all uncovered to greet the old ship,
I want to be there, don't you?
When all the ship's company meet on the strand,
I want to be there, I do;
"With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands,"
I want to be there, don't you?
Refrain:
I want to be there, I want to be there,
I expect to be there, I do;
I want to be there, I want to be there,
I expect to be there, don't you?
4 When Jesus is crowned the King of all kings,
I want to be there, I do;
With shouting and clapping till all heaven rings,
I want to be there, don't you?
Hallelujah! we'll shout again and again,
I want to be there, I do;
And close with the chorus, Amen, and Amen,
I want to be there, don't you?
Refrain:
I want to be there, I want to be there,
I expect to be there, I do;
I want to be there, I want to be there,
I expect to be there, don't you?