HEAVEN GATES Grace and Refuge Celestial Choir [INTRO — Ancient Ethiopian chant, distant kebero drums, women's voices rising] Ameeen… Ameeen… Kidus, Kidus, Kidus… Hallelujah… Hallelujah… [SOLO FEMALE — Low, reverent] From the mountains of the morning, Where the ancient rivers flow, I have heard the heavens calling, From a place my spirit knows. Through the valleys, through the fire, Through the years of dust and rain, I have carried one desire— Let me see Your face again. [CHOIR — Soft, layered harmonies] Open… open… Heaven gates… Open… open… Heaven gates… [VERSE 2 — FEMALE LEAD] I have walked beneath the thunder, I have slept upon the stone, But the One who holds creation Never left my soul alone. Now the morning breaks in glory, And the eastern skies awake, Let the angels tell the story, Let the earth and heavens shake! [CHORUS — FULL ETHIOPIAN CHOIR] HEAVEN GATES! OPEN WIDE! LET THE GLORY COME INSIDE! HEAVEN GATES! HEAR OUR CRY! LET YOUR MERCY FILL THE SKY! [AMHARIC CALL AND RESPONSE] LEAD: Egziabher hoy! (O Lord God!) CHOIR: Amesegenallo! (We thank You!) LEAD: Selam le'alam! (Peace to the world!) CHOIR: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! [INSTRUMENTAL — Krar melody, masenqo answering, deep kebero drums] [VERSE 3 — MALE ELDER, DEEP VOICE] Not by silver, Not by gold, Not by kingdoms Men behold. But by mercy, But by grace, We shall stand Before Your face. [CHOIR — Building] And the mountains shall bow down! And the rivers shall rejoice! Every nation, every tongue, Shall lift a mighty voice! [CHORUS — MASSIVE CHOIR] HEAVEN GATES! OPEN WIDE! LET THE GLORY COME INSIDE! HEAVEN GATES! HEAR OUR CRY! LET YOUR MERCY FILL THE SKY! [BRIDGE — Slow ceremonial chant, voices echoing] Kidus… Kidus… Kidus… Holy… Holy… Holy… From the earth unto the heavens, From the darkness into light, Let the gates of glory open, Let the morning conquer night. [SOLO FEMALE — Powerful, sustained notes] I can see the golden morning! I can hear the angels sing! Every sorrow turns to worship! Every heart receives the King! [FINAL CHORUS — FULL CHOIR, DRUMS, ULULATIONS] HEAVEN GATES! OPEN WIDE! LET THE GLORY COME INSIDE! HEAVEN GATES! HEAR OUR CRY! LET YOUR MERCY FILL THE SKY! [OUTRO — Choir gradually fading into ancient chant] Ameeen… Ameeen… Kidus… Kidus… Kidus… Heaven gates… Open wide… Ameeen…
