Scripture Verse

Go out into the highways and hedges…that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23

Introduction

Words: At­tri­but­ed to Ma­ry A. Kid­der in the New Sil­ver Song, by Will­iam Og­den (To­le­do, Ohio: Will­ard W. Whi­tney, 1872), page 91, alt. A few lat­er hym­nals cred­it the words to U.N.O. (a pseu­do­nym?).

Music: Will­iam A. Og­den (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Open the Door E. Or­am Lyte (1842–1913), with mo­di­fied last stan­za, in Her­alds of Grace, ed­it­ed by Ad­di­son B. Bow­ser (Dan­ville Penn­syl­van­ia: A. B. Bows­er, 1898, num­ber 95 (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Kid­der (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William Ogden (1841–1897)

Lyrics

Open the door for the child­ren,
Tenderly ga­ther them in,
In from the high­ways and hedg­es,
In from the places of sin.
Some are so young and so help­less,
Some are so hun­gry and cold;
Open the door for the child­ren,
Gather them in­to the fold.

Refrain

Gather them in, oh, ga­ther them in,
Gather, oh, ga­ther them in;
Open the door for the child­ren,
Gather them in­to the fold.

Open the door for the child­ren,
See! They are com­ing in throngs;
Bid them sit down to the ban­quet,
Teach them your beau­ti­ful songs.
Pray you the Fa­ther to bless them,
Pray you that grace may be giv’n;
Open the door for the child­ren,
Such is the kin­gdom of Heav’n.

Refrain

Open the door for the child­ren,
Take the dear lambs by the hand;
Point them to truth and to Je­sus,
Point them to Hea­ven’s bright land.
Some are so young and so help­less,
Some are so hun­gry and cold;
Open the door for the child­ren,
Gather them in­to the fold.

Refrain