Go Tell it on the Mountain

The original author of this Afro-American spiritual style Christmas carol is unknown. It was collected by American choral director, educator and academic John Wesley Work, Jr. (1871-1925) and it has been dated it back to at least 1865.

A great many different verses have been used with the song - see more information about these here. The lyrics below are the standard ones used in most hymnals today.

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Many choral arrangements are available

Examples

Congregation with praise band:

Choir with orchestra and praise band:

Boys choir with piano accompaniment:

Instrumental - virtual organ:

Lyrics

Chorus:
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
Over silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light:

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour's birth:

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God send us salvation,
That blessed Christmas morn: