Go, Tell It on the Mountain

“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” is a traditional African American spiritual arranged and popularized by John W. Work Jr. in the early 20th century. The hymn celebrates the birth of Jesus and encourages believers to proclaim the good news boldly. Work, a composer, educator, and collector of African American spirituals, sought to preserve the rich heritage of these hymns while bringing them to broader audiences. The text captures the excitement and urgency of the shepherds’ message in Luke 2, highlighting the joy of Christ’s birth and the call for all people to hear it.

The song’s lively and repetitive melody makes it particularly effective for congregational singing and processional settings. Its structure emphasizes both proclamation and participation, allowing worshippers to joyfully join in the refrain. The combination of call-and-response elements, rhythmic vitality, and spiritual depth reflects the oral traditions of African American worship, where music was both a vehicle of praise and a means of communal encouragement.

Theologically, the hymn underscores the universality of the gospel. Every believer is invited to “go, tell it,” reinforcing the Great Commission while celebrating the incarnation of Christ. The imagery of mountains and hills evokes the idea of God’s message being proclaimed far and wide, uniting all people in rejoicing over the Savior. Today, “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” remains a staple in Christmas worship, cherished for its energy, simplicity, and enduring message of hope and evangelistic zeal.