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[[File:HWW Go tell it on the mountain.ogg|thumb|A recording of an arrangement of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" for congregational singing (2008)]]
[[File:HWW Go tell it on the mountain.ogg|thumb|A recording of an arrangement of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" for congregational singing (2008)]]


"'''Go Tell It on the Mountain'''" is an [[African-American]] [[Spiritual (music)|spiritual]] song which was likely derived from the oral tradition, but was originally written and published by John Wesley Work Jr., although there is some debate whether he was actually the first to write it<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain/}}</ref>. This spiritual has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers since considered a [[Christmas carol]] as its original lyrics celebrate the [[Nativity of Jesus]]:
"'''Go Tell It on the Mountain'''" is an [[African-American]] [[Spiritual (music)|spiritual]] song and [[Christmas carol]] which was likely derived from the oral tradition, but was originally published by [[John Wesley Work Jr.]], although there is some debate over whether he was actually the first to write it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain/ |title=Go Tell It on the Mountain - Lyrics, Hymn Meaning and Story }}</ref> It has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers.
== Lyrics ==
The song is considered a [[Christmas carol]], as its original lyrics celebrate the [[Nativity of Jesus]]:


{{cquote|Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;<br>go tell it on the mountain, that [[Jesus Christ]] is born.}}
{{cquote|Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;<br>go tell it on the mountain, that [[Jesus Christ]] is born.}}
Line 17: Line 20:
An alternate final line omits the reference to the birth of Christ, instead declaring that "Jesus Christ is Lord".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Epstein|first=Joseph|title=The Yale Book of Quotations|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2006|page=278|isbn=978-0-300-10798-2}}</ref>
An alternate final line omits the reference to the birth of Christ, instead declaring that "Jesus Christ is Lord".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Epstein|first=Joseph|title=The Yale Book of Quotations|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2006|page=278|isbn=978-0-300-10798-2}}</ref>


Due to the oral tradition of the song, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" has also been used as a Easter song, with the refrain taking the variant of:
Due to the oral tradition of the song, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" has also been used as an Easter song, with the refrain taking the variant of:


{{Cquote
{{Cquote
Line 24: Line 27:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus lives again
That Jesus lives again
| source = https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_kept_their_watching
| source = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_kept_their_watching | title=Go, Tell It on the Mountain }}</ref>
}}
}}


== Publication History ==
== Publication history ==
The earliest known publication of the song is attributed to John Wesley Work, Jr. (1871-1925) who published the song in the New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_kept_their_watching}}</ref> Work grew up in Nashville where he garnered a love for music from his father who was a choir director. He earned his Master’s in Latin and went on to teach ancient Latin and Greek.However, his first love continued to be music, and became the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals. Most African-American spirituals through oral tradition but Work, through his extensive research, was able to compile many songs into the “New Jubilee Songs”. It was not until the second version he published that “Go Tell it On the Mountain” was included. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain/}}</ref> While many books and websites attribute the New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers to John Wesley Work, Jr. in 1901, some sources argue the origins lie with Frederick Jerome Work in 1902.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_kept_their_watching}}</ref>
The earliest known publication of the song is attributed to [[John Wesley Work, Jr.]] (1871-1925). Work grew up in Nashville where he garnered a love for music from his father who was a choir director. He earned his Master’s in Latin and went on to teach ancient Latin and Greek. However, his first love continued to be music, and he became the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals. Most African-American spirituals originated in oral tradition, but Work, through his extensive research, was able to compile many songs into the ''New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers''. While many books and websites attribute the ''New Jubilee Songs'' to John Wesley Work, Jr. in 1901, some sources argue the origins lie with [[Frederick Jerome Work]] in 1902.<ref>{{cite journal |id={{ProQuest|1613176807}} |last1=Kimberling |first1=Clark |title=Three Generations of Works and Their Contributions to Congregational Singing |journal=The Hymn |location=Boston |volume=65 |issue=3 |date=Summer 2014 |pages=10–17 }}</ref> The earliest printed version of "Go Tell" appeared in ''Religious Songs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations'' (new edition, 1909).<ref>{{cite book | title=Religious Folk Songs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations. Arranged by the musical directors of The Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. From the original edition by Thomas P. Fenner. | publisher=Institute Presse |location=Hampton, VA | year=1909 | url=https://archive.org/details/religiousfolkson00fenn/page/174/mode/1up | access-date=2024-06-11 | page=174}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Crump | first=W.D. | title=The Christmas Encyclopedia |edition=4 | publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers | year=2022 | isbn=978-1-4766-4759-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rLujEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA237 | access-date=2024-06-11 | page=237}}</ref>


⚫
== Biblical references ==

⚫
"Go Tell It on the Mountain" references the Annunciation to the Shepherds described in the [[Gospel of Luke]], hence the alternate title of "While shepherds kept their watching". The Nativity is also referenced in the final verse of the song:

⚫
== Biblical References ==
⚫
'''"Go Tell It on the Mountain"''' references the Annunciation to the Shepherds described in the Gospel of Luke, hence the alternate title of "While shepherds kept their watching". The Nativity is also referenced in the final verse of the song:
{{Cquote
{{Cquote
| quote = Down in a lowly manger,
| quote = Down in a lowly manger,
Line 44: Line 45:


==Recording artists==
==Recording artists==
In 1963, the musical team [[Peter, Paul and Mary]], along with their musical director [[Milt Okun]], adapted and rewrote "Go Tell It on the Mountain" as "Tell It on the Mountain", their lyrics referring specifically to [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] and using the phrase "Let my people go", but referring implicitly to the [[Civil rights movement|civil rights struggle]] of the early 1960s. This version became a moderately successful single for them (US No. 33 pop, 1964). ''[[Cash Box]]'' described it as "a rhythmic, updating of the folk oldie with a plaintive message-song motif."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=February 29, 1964 |page=10 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohstory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-02-29.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}}</ref>
In 1963, the musical team [[Peter, Paul and Mary]], along with their musical director [[Milt Okun]], adapted and rewrote "Go Tell It on the Mountain" as "Tell It on the Mountain", their lyrics referring specifically to [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] and using the phrase "Let my people go", but referring implicitly to the [[Civil rights movement|civil rights struggle]] of the early 1960s. This version became a moderately successful single for them (US No. 33 pop, 1964). ''[[Cash Box]]'' described it as "a rhythmic, updating of the folk oldie with a plaintive message-song motif."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=February 29, 1964 |page=10 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohstory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-02-29.pdf |magazine=Cash Box}}</ref>

⚫
According to religious studies professor and civil rights historian Charles Marsh, it was African-American civil rights leader [[Fannie Lou Hamer]] who combined this song with the spiritual "[[Go Down Moses]]", taking the last line of the chorus, "let my people go" and substituting it in the chorus of "Go Tell It on the Mountain".<ref name="Marsh">{{Cite book|last=Marsh|first=Charles |title=God's Long Summer|publisher=Princeton|year=1997|page=47|isbn=9780691130675}}</ref> Marsh does not document this claim, but notes that Hamer was highly active in civil rights work beginning in the 1950s, and that the use of the [[The Exodus|Exodus]] story and the singing of spirituals played a central role in her activities.


In 1964, [[Simon & Garfunkel]] released their first [[studio album]], [[Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.]], which contains an [[arrangement]] by the duo.
⚫
According to religious studies professor and civil rights historian Charles Marsh, it was African-American civil rights leader [[Fannie Lou Hamer]] who combined this song with the spiritual "[[Go Down Moses]]", taking the last line of the chorus, "let my people go" and substituting it in the chorus of "Go Tell It on the Mountain".<ref name="Marsh">{{Cite book|last=Marsh|first=Charles |title=God's Long Summer|publisher=Princeton|year=1997|page=47|isbn=9780691130675}}</ref> Marsh does not document this claim, but notes that Hamer was highly active in civil rights work beginning in the 1950s, and that the use of the Exodus story and the singing of spirituals played a central role in her activities.


[[Little Big Town]]'s 2006 non-album single version reached No. 35 on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart.<ref name="whitburn">{{Cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|page=241|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref>
[[Little Big Town]]'s 2006 non-album single version reached No. 35 on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart.<ref name="whitburn">{{Cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|page=241|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref>


Popular African- American CCM band Maverick City Music recorded and published their own version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” in 2021.
Popular African-American [[Contemporary Christian music]] band [[Maverick City Music]] recorded and published their own version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” in 2021.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 65: Line 68:
[[Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs]]
[[Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs]]
[[Category:Mahalia Jackson songs]]
[[Category:Mahalia Jackson songs]]
[[Category:American children's songs]]
[[Category:American Christmas songs]]
[[Category:American Christmas songs]]
[[Category:African-American spiritual songs]]
[[Category:African-American spiritual songs]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 24 June 2024

Go Tell It on the Mountain
by unknown
GenreChristmas, spiritual
Related"Tell It on the Mountain" by Peter, Paul and Mary (1963)
Published1909
A recording of an arrangement of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" for congregational singing (2008)

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is an African-American spiritual song and Christmas carol which was likely derived from the oral tradition, but was originally published by John Wesley Work Jr., although there is some debate over whether he was actually the first to write it.[1] It has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers.

Lyrics

[edit]

The song is considered a Christmas carol, as its original lyrics celebrate the Nativity of Jesus:

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.

An alternate final line omits the reference to the birth of Christ, instead declaring that "Jesus Christ is Lord".[2]

Due to the oral tradition of the song, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" has also been used as an Easter song, with the refrain taking the variant of:

Go, tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus lives again

— [3]

Publication history

[edit]

The earliest known publication of the song is attributed to John Wesley Work, Jr. (1871-1925). Work grew up in Nashville where he garnered a love for music from his father who was a choir director. He earned his Master’s in Latin and went on to teach ancient Latin and Greek. However, his first love continued to be music, and he became the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals. Most African-American spirituals originated in oral tradition, but Work, through his extensive research, was able to compile many songs into the New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. While many books and websites attribute the New Jubilee Songs to John Wesley Work, Jr. in 1901, some sources argue the origins lie with Frederick Jerome Work in 1902.[4] The earliest printed version of "Go Tell" appeared in Religious Songs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations (new edition, 1909).[5][6]

Biblical references

[edit]

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" references the Annunciation to the Shepherds described in the Gospel of Luke, hence the alternate title of "While shepherds kept their watching". The Nativity is also referenced in the final verse of the song:

Down in a lowly manger,

the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn.

Verses: Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 28:19

— https://hymnary.org/text/while_shepherds_kept_their_watching/compare

Recording artists

[edit]

In 1963, the musical team Peter, Paul and Mary, along with their musical director Milt Okun, adapted and rewrote "Go Tell It on the Mountain" as "Tell It on the Mountain", their lyrics referring specifically to Exodus and using the phrase "Let my people go", but referring implicitly to the civil rights struggle of the early 1960s. This version became a moderately successful single for them (US No. 33 pop, 1964). Cash Box described it as "a rhythmic, updating of the folk oldie with a plaintive message-song motif."[7]

According to religious studies professor and civil rights historian Charles Marsh, it was African-American civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer who combined this song with the spiritual "Go Down Moses", taking the last line of the chorus, "let my people go" and substituting it in the chorus of "Go Tell It on the Mountain".[8] Marsh does not document this claim, but notes that Hamer was highly active in civil rights work beginning in the 1950s, and that the use of the Exodus story and the singing of spirituals played a central role in her activities.

In 1964, Simon & Garfunkel released their first studio album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., which contains an arrangement by the duo.

Little Big Town's 2006 non-album single version reached No. 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.[9]

Popular African-American Contemporary Christian music band Maverick City Music recorded and published their own version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” in 2021.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Go Tell It on the Mountain - Lyrics, Hymn Meaning and Story".
  2. ^ Epstein, Joseph (2006). The Yale Book of Quotations. Yale University Press. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-300-10798-2.
  3. ^ "Go, Tell It on the Mountain".
  4. ^ Kimberling, Clark (Summer 2014). "Three Generations of Works and Their Contributions to Congregational Singing". The Hymn. 65 (3). Boston: 10–17. ProQuest 1613176807.
  5. ^ Religious Folk Songs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations. Arranged by the musical directors of The Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. From the original edition by Thomas P. Fenner. Hampton, VA: Institute Presse. 1909. p. 174. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Crump, W.D. (2022). The Christmas Encyclopedia (4 ed.). McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 237. ISBN 978-1-4766-4759-3. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 29, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Marsh, Charles (1997). God's Long Summer. Princeton. p. 47. ISBN 9780691130675.
  9. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
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