LIFT UP YOUR HEADS O GATES.

"Lift Up Your Heads O Gates" is a stirring entrance hymn composed by Rev. Fr. Okwy Tony Umeh. Drawing directly from the imagery of Psalm 24, the song calls on the ancient doors to open wide so the King of Glory may enter. It is a natural fit for the beginning of Mass, setting a tone of majestic welcome as the priest and altar servers process toward the sanctuary.

Choirs often bring this piece out during seasons of anticipation and arrival, especially Advent and Palm Sunday. The structure is simple but powerful: the choir sings the bold, sweeping refrain, while the verses ask the central question, "Who is the King of Glory?" Each verse answers with a different title for Christ, moving from the "Mighty God" and "valiant in war" to the "Bread of Life" and "Prince of Peace."

Singing this piece feels like a royal proclamation. The call-and-response nature of the verses gives the choir a chance to declare the many attributes of Jesus, building a sense of reverence and joy in the congregation before the liturgy even fully begins.