Sean Ivory and Paul Caldwell: Hope for Resolution
[Of the Father's Love Begotten
with Thula sizwe,
a South African Freedom Song]
Georgetown University Concert Choir
~~~~~
If you've followed this blog for awhile you probably know that I serve an urban congregation in Chicago. One carol that is an absolute must this time of year is "Go, Tell It on the Mountain."
The tune plus text of the refrain comes from the African-American tradition, while the text of the stanzas comes from an African-American educator named John Wesley Work, Jr. Work taught Latin and Greek at Fisk University and eventually chaired the department. He is possibly the first African-American to gather spirituals and publish them.
There is a variation going on with the refrain. Most editions end the refrain with "...that Jesus Christ is born." Some editions end the refrain with, "...that Jesus Christ was born." The latter usage kind of leaves Jesus back in the manger. The former usage brings Jesus to the present, and opens the door to a discussion of how Jesus comes to us today. All that said, my favorite arrangement is the final video below, and they are using the latter with an alternate text and counter-melody for the stanzas. The video appears to be at the close of a Christmas Vespers service.
~~~~~
The Blind Boys of Alabama
~~~
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
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Kurt Franklin: Go Tell It on the Mountain
The Second Bethlehem B.C. Mass Choir
Krystal Johnson, Lead Vocalist
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.
This a wonderful arrangement
Both the composer and the group are unknown
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.
~~~
The Ambassadors of Harmony Double Quartet
First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Missouri
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
"Go Tell it on the Mountain" with "Mary Had a Little Baby"
Arrangement by Bruce Thompson
The Choir of Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
~~~~~
The Blind Boys of Alabama
~~~
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
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Kurt Franklin: Go Tell It on the Mountain
The Second Bethlehem B.C. Mass Choir
Krystal Johnson, Lead Vocalist
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.
This a wonderful arrangement
Both the composer and the group are unknown
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.
~~~
The Ambassadors of Harmony Double Quartet
First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Missouri
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
"Go Tell it on the Mountain" with "Mary Had a Little Baby"
Arrangement by Bruce Thompson
The Choir of Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
~~~~~
