HYMNS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS  

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN 

Luke wrote, After the shepherds went to Bethlehem, saw Jesus and worshipped Him, “. . . they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:17-18)   

Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus left His disciples by giving them what has become known as the Great Commission, “. . . Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  

Negro spirituals put the words of Scripture to music. As they sang their spirituals they were proclaiming the Good News of God’s love for sinners. Go Tell It On The Mountain is one of those Negro spirituals. For decades it was sung without the words ever having been written down. Finally, John Wesley Work, Jr. put the words on paper in 1907.   

Today, Go Tell It On The Mountain is primarily known as a Christmas Carol. That would stand to reason because all three verses put into hymnody Luke’s words concerning the Angel’s message to the shepherds and God’s purpose for sending Jesus to earth, namely, verse 3 says: “Down in a lonely manger The humble Christ was born; And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.” 

It is impossible to know, but no one would argue that the simple words of Go Tell It On The Mountain have witnessed Jesus Christ to the world as its Savior. It has been translated into at least fifteen different languages for people to hear the words of St. Luke announcing the birth of Jesus and proclaiming God sent Him into the world as its Savior from sin. 

Go Tell It on the Mountain // LSB 388

ref:
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

Verse 1:
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light. Refrain

Verse 2:
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain

 Verse 3:
Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn. Refrain