Go Tell Everyone (God's Spirit is in my Heart) - Dale / Richards

This song of commission was written in the late 1960s by English Methodist minister and missionary Alan Dale (d 1979) and English Roman Catholic and at-the-time priest Hubert Richards (1921-2010).

It has a very strong scriptural basis:

The first verse and chorus are from Isaiah 61:1,2 and Luke 4:18 and 19.
Verse three is based on John 20:21, where Jesus sent the disciples into the world.
Verse four is inspired by Mark 13:11, where Jesus instructs the about the end times.

The song was the title-track in a recording of the Sacred Heart Choir with Eileen Greaves conducted by Kevin Mayhew (ref), which was released by Avant Garde Records in 1969 with accompanying sheet music published by Vanguard Music.

Purchase original sheet music via Amazon.com

Some people have assumed that the song was written by one of Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity sisters, because it is included in Malcolm Muggeridge's book, Something Beautiful for God. However this book was first published in 1971, well after the 1969 release of the song, so this is unlikely.

The 20th Century Folk Hymnal volume 1, published in 1974 attributes the tune / music to Hubert John (Bert) Richards and the words to Alan Dale. Other publications have credited arrangements of the tune to Alan Dale and Betty Pulkingham, and the words to verses 2-4 to Richards.

The vocal range of the tune is large, and it was not originally intended for congregational use: Richards expected most people to only sing the refrain. Despite this, it has became very well-known and loved by congregations (if not by trained musicians) in and many English-speaking countries. Several new recordings have been made in the 21st century.

Today the words and music are both © 1982 Kevin Mayhew Ltd, but it is published in many current hymnals from the United Kingdom, eg McCrimmon Publication's Celebration Hymnal for Everyone - and these are the best source of sheet music for the song.

Alternative titles include:

God's Spirit
God's Spirit Is Deep In My Heart
God's Spirit is in my heart He has called me
Just As The Father Sent Me

With meter, 8.5.8.5 with refrain, the unnamed tune has a 6/8 time signature.

The verses are in a minor key: in Am the first few notes are A, A, A, A, B, C E_ (with chords Am)
The chorus switches to a major key: in A, the first notes are E A A A A G F G G F E_ (with chords A / E7 / A

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

Examples

Solo singer backing himself with guitar

Church choir from Singapore giving a very disciplined performance:

Soloist with guitar-led backing band - professional recording:

Choir with orchestra -music video

Soloist with piano and backing band - professional recording:

Childrens choir and cantor, with guitar and flute:

Lyrics

The lyrics are still copyright, so cannot be reproduced here in full. However they are currently available on Page 8 of this website. A rough outline of the structure is:

Verse 1: God's spirit is in my heart ..

Chorus:
He sent me to give the Good News to the poor
Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
Tell blind people that they can see,
And set the downtrodden free.
And go tell ev'ryone the news that the kingdom of God has come,
And go tell ev'ryone the news that God's kingdom God has come.

Verse 2: Just as the Father sent me ....

Verse 3: Don't carry a load on your back ...

Verse 4: Don't worry what you have to say ...

Two additional verses were recently located in a "home made" hymnal from Ireland. They are not in any recently-published versions, and it's not clear if they were part of the original text of the song. They are

By dying I'm going away,
But I'll be with you every day,
As the spirit of love in your heart,
The love in your heart.

Myself you will no longer see,
But if you love, as God has loved me,
Then people will see me in you,
Will see me in you.