By Larry Billinger
Resonating from Spiritual Roots to Celebratory Peaks
“Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and valleys below, Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born today!” These lyrics, a clarion call of joy and salvation, embody a narrative that transcends the mere festive spirit of Christmas. The song “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” with its deep-seated roots in the African-American spiritual tradition, has climbed from the valleys of slavery to the peaks of universal celebration, becoming a Christmas carol of global renown.
From the Gullah to the Gospel: A Song’s Voyage Through History
Originally sung by the Gullah, an African-American community on the Sea Islands, this spiritual served as a beacon of hope during dark times of enslavement. Passed orally through generations, its verses carried the weight of a people’s longing for deliverance. In 1865, John Wesley Work Jr., a name now synonymous with African-American spirituals, introduced the song to the wider world. Through his efforts, “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” transcended its origins, becoming a published hymn and a standard in Christian worship, cutting across racial and denominational lines.
A Nativity Narrative: The Biblical Backdrop of the Carol
At its core, the carol is a retelling of the Nativity, encapsulating the Annunciation to the Shepherds. Its lyrics resonate with the joyous discovery of the newborn King, reflecting the scriptural accounts of Luke and Matthew. The song’s repetitive refrain not only narrates the story but invites listeners to become heralds of the tidings, spreading the word that in the humility of a manger, hope for mankind was born.
A Carol for Every Season: Beyond the Boundaries of December
While it shines during the Yuletide, the carol’s message of hope and resurrection has also found its voice during Easter and Pentecost. This versatility underlines the song’s central theme of rebirth and redemption—a message not confined to Christmas but echoing throughout the Christian liturgical year.
The Everlasting Echo: ‘Go, Tell It on the Mountain’ Today
In contemporary times, the song stands as a luminous reminder of joy in a world that often dwells in shadows. It encourages us to look beyond the commercialized façade of the holiday and remember the profound truths at the heart of Christmas. As “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” continues to reverberate through time and tradition, it calls on us all to bear witness to the light that broke through on a blessed morning, offering salvation and uniting humanity in a chorus of hope.
Go Tell It On The Mountain Lyrics
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
