"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is an African-Americanspiritual song which was likely derived from the oral tradition, but was originally published by John Wesley Work Jr., although there is some debate whether he was actually the first to write it.[1] 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:
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).[4] 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”. It was not until the second version he published that “Go Tell it On the Mountain” was included. [5] 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.[6]
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:
Down in a lowly manger,
the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn.
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.
^"CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 29, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^Marsh, Charles (1997). God's Long Summer. Princeton. p. 47. ISBN9780691130675.
^Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 241. ISBN978-0-89820-177-2.
August 22, 2023
tell, mountain, song, tell, mountain, african, american, spiritual, song, which, likely, derived, from, oral, tradition, originally, published, john, wesley, work, although, there, some, debate, whether, actually, first, write, this, spiritual, been, sung, rec. Go Tell It on the Mountain is an African American spiritual song which was likely derived from the oral tradition but was originally published by John Wesley Work Jr although there is some debate whether he was actually the first to write it 1 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 Mountainby unknownGenreChristmas spiritualRelated Tell It on the Mountain by Peter Paul and Mary 1963 Published1909 source source A recording of an arrangement of Go Tell It on the Mountain for congregational singing 2008 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 a 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 mountainThat Jesus lives again 3 Contents 1 Publication history 2 Biblical references 3 Recording artists 4 See also 5 ReferencesPublication history EditThe 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 4 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 It was not until the second version he published that Go Tell it On the Mountain was included 5 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 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 compareRecording artists EditIn 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 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 EditList of Christmas carolsReferences Edit Go Tell It on the Mountain Lyrics Hymn Meaning and Story Epstein Joseph 2006 The Yale Book of Quotations Yale University Press p 278 ISBN 978 0 300 10798 2 Go Tell It on the Mountain Go Tell It on the Mountain Go Tell It on the Mountain Lyrics Hymn Meaning and Story Go Tell It on the Mountain CashBox Record Reviews PDF Cash Box February 29 1964 p 10 Retrieved January 12 2022 Marsh Charles 1997 God s Long Summer Princeton p 47 ISBN 9780691130675 Whitburn Joel 2008 Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 Record Research Inc p 241 ISBN 978 0 89820 177 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Go Tell It on the Mountain song amp oldid 1164219549, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
