Hark! The Herald Banjo Rings
Christmas 2010
December 13
"Go, Tell It on the Mountain" is a Christmas hymn written by John Wesley Work, Jr, based on an African-American spiritual "When I was a seeker." Work was an alumnus and faculty member at Fisk University, a historically black college in Nashville, Tennessee. The Presbyterian Hymnal includes only the first three verses; the final two verses presumably are part of the original spiritual, while the first three are about Christmas. When recording this, Rob, Rachelle, and Matt were inspired by a recording of Peter, Paul, and Mary singing "Tell In On The Mountain", an adaptation with lyrics about Exodus and the Civil Rights movement.
Downloads: mp3
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Performed by Rachelle Gould on lead vocals, Matt Kloser on guitar and backing vocals, and Rob Lucas on piano.
Words: John Wesley Work, Jr., 1907.
Music: GO TELL IT, African-American spiritual.
Refrain
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
Refrain
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth.
Refrain
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
Refrain
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day,
I sought the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way.
Refrain
He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall,
And If I am a Christian
I am the least of all.
Refrain
Sources and more information
- Presbyterian Hymnal, 1990.
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas